»    "7 


0&  0F  <'^ 


TWO 


3 


JAN  22  1332 


,-\ 


fOt  I '■'■   nil    (  >>\y^ 


SERMONS, 


DELIVERED    BEFORE   THE 


SECOND   CHURCH    AND    SOCIETY, 


SUNDAY,    MARCH    10,    1844, 


ON  THE  OCCASION  OF 


TAKING  DOWN  THEIR  ANCIENT  PLACE  OF  WORSHIP. 


NR&T^R, 


BY    THEIR    MINI 

CHANDLER     RC 


BOSTON : 
PRINTED    BY    ISAAC    R.     BUTTS 

M  DCCC  XLIV. 


\ 


SERMON    I. 


PSALMS,   XLVIII,  12  —  13. 

"walk  about  zion,  and  go  round  about  her:  tell  the  towers  thereof,     mahk 
ye  well  her  bulwarks,   consider  her  palaces  j  that  ye  may  tell  it  to  the 


We  meet  to-day  for  the  last  time  in  this  venerable 
house.  It  has  stood  an  hundred  and  twenty-three 
years.  It  is  the  oldest  temple  in  this  city.  Christ 
Church,  its  ancient  neighbor,  is  its  junior  by  more 
than  two  years,  and  the  Old  South  by  nearly  nine.* 
It  has  been  an  object  of  sacred  interest  to  many  gen- 
erations. Its  image  has  been  connected  with  the 
idea  of  God,  in  the  minds  of  myriads  who  have  been 
born,  and  lived,  and  died,  within  sight  of  its  spire. 
Hallowed  associations  gather  thickly  around  it.  Its 
walls  are  hung  with  the  memorials  of  ancient  days. 
Shadowy  processions  of  the  sainted  dead  seem  to 
move  along  its  aisles  ;  and  a  solemn  chant,  as  of  many 
voices,  known  and  unknown,  mingling  in  psalms 
and  prayers,  to  swell  beneath  its  roof. 


*  The  corner  stone  of  Christ  Church  was  laid  April  15,  1723.  It  was 
first  opened  for  worship  on  the  29th  of  December,  of  the  same  year.  The 
foundation  of  the  Old  South  was  commenced  March  31,  1729.  Religious 
services  were  attended  in  it  for  the  first  time  on  the  27th  of  April,  1730. 


4 


It  is  a  serious  thin"  to  demolish  a  honsc  like  tills. 
It  is  a  solemn  act  to  destroy  these  time-hallowed 

walls.  It  is  more,  far  more,  than  merely  to  take 
down  the  material  pile,  which,  hands  long  since  moul- 
dered to  dust,  assisted  to  raise.  These  stones  and 
bricks  are  inwrought  with  holy  sentiments  ;  they  are 
inscribed  with  honored  names;  they  are  written  all 
over  with  religious  reminiscences  ;  they  enshrine  ven- 
erated images ;  they  arc  memorials  of  the  piety  and 
faith  of  our  fathers;  they  are  largely  and  intimately 
connected  with  the  spiritual  life  of  past  and  present 
generations.  We  may  replace  them  with  a  more  splen- 
did edifice.  We  may  tax  architectural  art  for  all  the 
elements  of  grandeur  and  beauty  it  can  furnish,  to 
decorate  the  structure  which  is  to  be  reared  upon 
their  ruins.  But,  the  sentiments  and  affections  which 
consecrate  this  ancient  house,  no  human  skill  can  re- 
store. A  sacred,  a  spiritual  fabric  of  hallowed  mem- 
ories and  associations  will  be  shattered  together  with 
these  crumbling  walls  —  and  fall  never  to  rise  again. 

But  everything  must  yield  to  the  immediate  wants 
and  will  of  the  living.  The  command  of  present  Use 
is  in  our  day  incontrovertible  and  supreme.  Its 
sceptre  sways  everywhere.  The  marks  of  its  empire 
are  all  around  us.  It  takes  down,  and  builds  up,  and 
knows  no  veneration.  The  sacred  and  the  beautiful 
are  continually  bowing  before  it.  It  has  often  point- 
ed ominously  at  this  old  edifice.  It  has  touched  it 
now,  and  to-morrow  it  falls. 

But  it  shall  not  fall  unhonored.  This  old  pile  shall 
not  be  swept  away  forever  from  the  sight  of  men, 


without  a  becoming  commemoration  of  its  long  and 
interesting  history.  The  rude  hammer  shall  not  strike 
its  first  blow  against  its  walls,  until  our  hearts  have 
paid  to  it  their  parting  tribute  of  affection  and  re- 
spect. We  will  not  meet  for  the  last  time  at  this  be- 
loved and  venerated  altar,  without  such  a  valedictory 
service  as  it  deserves,  from  those  who  have  gathered 
around  it  on  so  many  hallowed  occasions,  with  grati- 
tude and  devotion,  and  found  under  its  shade  the 
peace  of  heaven. 

Nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  elapsed  since  two 
discourses  were  preached  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Ware, 
Jr.,  commemorative  of  the  one  hundredth  anniver- 
sary of  the  dedication  of  this  house.  These  dis- 
courses were  published,  and,  accurate,  interesting 
and  impressive,  are  preserved  with  care  by  many,  as 
amongst  the  most  valuable  pamphlets  relating  to  the 
history  of  our  New-England  churches.  The  former 
of  them  was  devoted  to  historical  notices  of  the  Old 
North  Church,  —  the  latter  to  records  of  the  New 
Brick,  which  was  the  original  appellation  of  the  house 
in  which  we  are  now  for  the  last  time  assembled. 
For  it  is  known  to  many  of  you  that  our  church  has 
a  two-fold  history  antecedent  to  the  revolutionary 
wrar.  Before  that  period  our  records  divide,  and  ex- 
tend back  in  two  separate  channels,  the  one  connect- 
ed with  the  history  of  the  Second  Church  —  whose 
place  of  worship,  called  the  Old  North,  stood  in  North 
Square, — and  the  other  w7ith  that  of  the  society 
which  occupied  this  edifice.  During  the  occupancy 
of  Boston   by  the   British,  the  Old  North  was  de- 


stroyed  "  for  tlic  sake  of  the  fuel,  of  which  its  massy 
timber  afforded  abundance.  And  when  the  inhabit- 
ants returned  to  their  homes  after  the  evacuation  of 
the  town,  this  meeting-house  being  sufficiently  large 
to  accommodate  both  congregations,  they  worshiped 
together  for  three  years,  when  a  junction  was  formed, 
which  has  proved  perpetual.'5  Mr.  Ware,  as  I  have 
said,  on  the  occasion  alluded  to,  embraced  in  his  dis- 
courses the  earlier  history  of  both  these  churches. 
What  then  is  left  for  me  but  only  to  glean  after  so 
careful  and  thorough  a  reaper.  But  as  his  survey 
was  extended  over  two  broad  fields,  whilst  mine  will 
be  restricted  to  a  single  one,  it  would  not  be  strange 
if  a  minute  and  faithful  research  should  enable  me  to 
gather  up  a  few  particulars  which  had  escaped  his 
notice.  Besides,  there  now  remain  to  us  the  twenty- 
three  years  which  have  passed  since  his  discourses 
were  written,  as  a  field  yet  wholly  unattempted  and 
replete  with  interesting  materials  of  history. 

It  is  a  cause  of  unfeigned  regret,  that  the  otherwise 
gratifying  retrospect  of  the  annals  of  the  New  Brick 
Church  is  alloyed  by  a  review  of  the  circumstances 
under  which  it  originated.  The  only  blot  upon  its 
records  stains  their  very  first  page.  Its  foundation 
was  laid  in  dissension  and  alienation,  between  breth- 
ren of  one  faith,  inhabitants  of  one  neighborhood, 
and  members  of  one  church. 

It  is  an  ungrateful  task  to  search  out  and  expose 
the  weaknesses  of  our  fathers.  Nor  have  I  any  heart 
for  uncovering  the  long  buried  animosities  that  once 
subsisted    between    two  churches,    which   for  these 


many  years  have  been  united  together  in  the  closest 
intercourse,  and  the  most  exemplary  harmony.  But 
I  should  be  unfaithful  to  the  duty  which  devolves  up- 
on me  to-day,  if  1  were  to  suffer  myself  to  be  deterred 
by  the  painfulness  of  the  undertaking,  from  a  candid 
and  faithful  statement  of  the  facts  and  merits  of  the 
controversy,  which  resulted  in  the  building  of  this 
house.  Besides,  the  history  of  this  singular  transac- 
tion is  of  itself  not  devoid  of  interest,  and  is  still  often 
alluded  to,  though  with  a  very  imperfect  knowledge 
of  the  facts  of  the  case.  An  indefinite  impression 
prevails  in  the  community  that  there  was  something 
wrong  in  the  origin  of  this  edifice,  though  precisely 
what  the  wrong  was,  is  not  understood.  It  becomes 
therefore  an  act  of  justice  to  its  founders,  to  free 
their  memory  from  all  sweeping  and  vague  imputa- 
tions, and  to  lay  open  with  discrimination  and  candor 
the  real  nature  and  amount  of  their  offending. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  year  1719,  there 
were  two  congregational  churches  at  the  north  part 
of  Boston,  —  which  was  then  the  most  respectable 
and  fashionable  section  of  the  town.  The  one,  at 
the  head  of  the  North  Square,  was  under  the  pastoral 
charge  of  Drs.  Increase  and  Cotton  Mather,  and  the 
other,  at  the  corner  of  Clark  and  Hanover,  then  called 
North  Street,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  John 
Webb.  Both  societies  were  flourishing  and  fully  at- 
tended ;  perfectly  harmonious  within  themselves  and 
with  each  other,  and  amply  adequate  to  the  accom- 
modation of  all  in  the  neighborhood  who  might  desire 
to  meet  in  them  for  worship.     But  the  latter  society, 


8 


in  conformity  to  the  custom  of  the  times,  began  to 
be  desirous  of  settling  an  assistant  pastor  for  the 
more  effectual  furtherance  of  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try. The  attention  of  several  members  of  the  church 
was  attracted  by  the  popularity  and  eminent  gifts  of 
the  Rev.  Peter  Thacher,  then  over  the  church  in 
A\  cvmouth.  A  determination  seems  to  have  existed 
on  the  part  of  some  of  the  New  North  Society,  from 
the  very  first  of  the  movement  towards  settling  a  col- 
league, to  secure  his  services,  if  possible,  at  all  haz- 
ards. No  sooner  was  this  purpose  apparent,  than 
many  of  the  congregation  began  to  manifest  signs  of 
disapprobation,  —  disapprobation  founded  upon  the 
conviction  that  it  was  not  right  for  a  wealthier  so- 
ciety to  entice  away  from  a  poorer  their  minister. 
"  Weymouth,"  said  they,  "  in  God's  sight,  is  as  pre- 
cious as  Boston,  and  the  souls  there  of  as  great  worth 
as  the  souls  here.  And  to  the  common  objection,  that 
it  is  a  pity  that  Mr.  Thacher,  being  so  bright  a  light, 
should  smoke  out  his  days  in  so  much  obscurity,  we 
answer,  first,  bright  lights  shine  brightest  in  the 
darkest  places  ;  and,  secondly,  bright  lights  are  the  ob- 
scurer for  burning  in  a  room  where  there  are  more, 
and  as  bright."  * 

No  other  adequate  motive  can  be  assigned  for  their 
opposition  or  their  subsequent  doings.  Mr.  Thacher, 
himself,  was  in  all  respects  such  a  minister  as  would 
be  likely  to  please  their  taste,  to  gratify  their  pride, 
and  to  build  up  the  church.  There  was  nothing  ob- 
jectionable in  Mr.  Webb,  to  excite  their  aversion.    Nor 

*  Sec  Appendix  A 


9 


do  I  find  in  any  quarter  so  much  as  a  hint,  that  there 
were  any  latent  causes  of  division  previously  existing 
between  the  members  of  the  society  themselves. 
Nor  were  the  characters  of  those  who  composed  the 
opposition  such  as  to  warrant  the  supposition  that  they 
were  originally  actuated  by  unworthy  motives,  or 
lightly  instigated  to  the  course  they  took,  or  moved 
by  any  cherished  feelings  of  hostility  towards  their 
own  church.  On  the  contrary,  there  are  not  want- 
ing indications,  on  the  part  of  some  of  their  number, 
of  strong  attachment  to  the  interests  of  the  New 
North  Church.  Several  of  them  had  been  amongst 
the  most  influential  of  the  original  founders  of  that 
society,  of  the  first  signers  of  the  covenant,  and  of 
the  building  committee  of  the  church  ;  one  had  been 
donor  of  part  of  the  communion  plate,  and,  more  re- 
cently, of  a  bell  ;  and  one  had  been  the  first  choice 
of  the  church  for  the  office  of  deacon. 

No  other  cause  can  be  found  for  the  origin  of  their 
disaffection  save  that  which  is  assigned  by  themselves, 
viz  :  an  insuperable  objection  against  calling  a  min- 
ister away  from  his  flock,  and  disapprobation  of  the 
measures  taken  by  Mr.  Thacher's  friends  to  unsettle 
him  at  Weymouth.  Unless,  indeed,  I  were  to  give 
weight  to  an  insinuation  —  which  has  been  more 
than  once  publicly  thrown  out  —  that  the  division 
was  fomented  by  the  intrigues  of  Cotton  Mather, 
who  was  jealous  of  the  talents  of  Mr.  Thacher,  and 
who  hoped,  moreover,  that  the  malecontents,  instead 
of  founding  a  new  church,  would  come  back  into  his 
own.     But,   whatever  color  of  probability  this  sus- 

2 


10 


picion  may  derive  from  the  character  of  that  singular 
man,  of  most  unenviable  fame,  and  however  pleasing 
it  might  be  to  some  to  have  such  a  charge  against 
him  substantiated,  for  my  own  part,  I  should  ask  for 
clearer  evidence  than  has  yet  been  shown,  before  I 
could  believe  him  guilty. 

It  is  some  satisfaction,  then,  to  be  assured  that 
there  was  a  foundation  in  conscience  and  principle 
for  the  movement  of  the  founders  of  this  church, 
however  blameworthy  may  have  been  the  heat  ex- 
hibited by  them  in  the  course  of  the  controversy. 
There  is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  they  were  perfectly 
sincere  in  what  they  said  in  their  "  memorial "  to  the 
New  North  Church,  written  in  the  very  height  of  the 
difficulty.  "  We  should  think  ourselves  obliged  to 
love,  honor,  and  respect  you  more  than  ever,  if  you 
would  wholly  lay  aside  Mr.  Thacher,  who,  you  know, 
is  the  sole  cause  of  all  our  uneasiness.''  When  we 
take  into  view  the  fact  that  the  two  parties  were 
nearly  equal  in  numbers,  and  that  Mr.  Thacher  wTas 
finally  elected  by  a  majority  of  only  one,  (and  that, 
as  has  been  said,  the  casting  vote  of  the  minister,) 
it  seems  strange  that  the  feelings  of  the  memorialists 
should  not  have  been  more  regarded.  It  seems 
strange  that  the  New  North  Church  and  its  pastor 
should  have  persisted  in  their  purpose  of  settling  Mr. 
Thacher,  against  the  wishes  of  so  large  a  portion 
of  the  congregation  ;  against  the  unanimous  advice 
of  the  clergy  of  the  town  ;  against  the  general 
sense  of  the  religious  community,  and  at  the  risk  of 
their  own  dismemberment.     There  can  be  no  reason- 


11 


able  doubt  that,  by  a  more  moderate  and  pacific 
course  on  their  part,  the  difficulty  might  have  been 
healed,  and  those  subsequent  disturbances  prevented, 
which  are  a  perpetual  disgrace  to  all  who  were  con- 
cerned in  them.  The  counsel  of  such  men  as  the 
two  Mathers,  Benjamin  Wadsworth,  Benjamin  Col- 
man,  Joseph  Sewall,  Thomas  Prince,-  and  William 
Cooper,  —  all  of  them  names  justly  celebrated  in  the 
churches  of  Boston,  was  precisely  such  as  the  spirit 
of  Christianity  would  have  dictated.  "  We  appre- 
hend," say  they,  in  a  letter  signed  by  them  all,  "  that 
it  would  be  best  that  the  New  North  should  not  push 
on  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Thacher,  and  that  you  should 
not  engage  in  the  building  of  a  new  meeting-house. 
A  patient  waiting  may  cool  and  calm  spirits  that  are 
discomposed  and  heated.  Time,  by  the  help  of  God, 
may  give  more  light,  to  us,  to  you,  to  Mr.  Thacher, 
Mr.  Webb,  and  the  New  North,  in  the  present  affair, 
than  we  have  hitherto  had.  In  a  way  of  patient 
waiting,  and  humble  supplications  to  heaven,  Provi- 
dence may  possibly  clear  up  the  matters  that  are 
dark  at  present ;  so  that  all  concerned  may  at  last 
join  in  some  issue  that  may  be  holy,  peaceable  and 
comfortable.  Patient  and  prayerful  waiting  is  there- 
fore what  we  think  best  at  present,  and  what  we 
advise  you  to;  and  also  that  you  and  your  brethren, 
with  whom  you  are  dissatisfied,  would  take  oppor- 
tunities to  confer  together  in  a  spirit  of  meekness, 
for  the  quieting  and  reconciling  your  spirits,  that  you 
may  again  be  united  in  love  as  formerly.  But  if 
contentions  and  divisions  should  prevail,  how  greatly 


12 


would  it  dishonor  God,  gratify  the  devil,  grieve  the 
godly,  and  hurt  yourselves  and  others  too." 

But  the  passions  and  prejudices  of  both  parties 
had  now  become  too  warmly  enlisted  to  suffer  them 
to  give  heed  to  the  instructions  of  Christian  wisdom 
and  love.  The  New  North  Church  pushed  matters 
to  extremity,  and  appointed  a  day  for  the  installation 
of  Mr.  Thacher.  The  Boston  ministers  signified 
their  unwillingness  to  sit  on  the  installing  council. 
The  day  appointed  for  the  installation  arrived. 
The  church  in  Milton,  under  the  care  of  a  relative  of 
the  candidate,  and  the  church  in  Rumney  Marsh, 
or  Chelsea,  under  that  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cheever, 
were  the  only  churches  represented  on  the  council. 
Indeed,  the  former  was  not  fairly  represented  at 
all,  since  it  had  voted  not  to  give  its  assistance, 
and  its  pastor  attended  the  council  in  opposition  to 
its  vote. 

It  should  here  be  remarked,  that  on  the  evening 
previous  to  the  day  of  installation,  it  being  feared 
that  some  disturbance  might  arise,  a  letter  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  party  who  felt  themselves  aggrieved, 
by  the  two  Mathers,  with  the  advice  and  concurrence 
of  the  other  ministers,  solemnly  and  earnestly  be- 
seeching them  to  conduct  themselves  on  the  morrow 
with  moderation  and  decorum.  "  We  earnestly  in- 
culcate upon  you,"  says  the  epistle,  "  that  ancient 
advice,  4  cease  from  anger  and  forsake  wrath  ;  fret 
not  vourselves  in  anvwise  to  do  evil.'  We  particu- 
larlv  advise,  exhort  and  entreat  vou  that  on  the  mor- 
row  you  forbear  and  prevent  everything  that  may  be 


13 


of  a  riotous  or  too  clamorous  aspect ;  and  let  nothing 
be  done,  but  what  shall  become  sober  Christians  and 
the  well  advised.  And  whatsoever  shall  be  spoke, 
let  it  be  in  the  decent,  modest,  and  peaceable  man- 
ner which  may  adorn  jour  profession  of  Christianity. 
Your  cause  will  not  be  the  worse  for  your  observing  a 
conduct  entirely  under  the  law  of  goodness."  It  is  also 
worthy  of  notice,  that,  this  letter  being  read  to  them, 
a  great  number  of  the  dissentients  agreed  to  comply 
W7ith  its  advice.  And,  doubtless,  they  would  have 
adhered  to  this  good  intention,  if  they  had  not  been 
grievously  exasperated  by  the  organization  and  con- 
duct of  the  council.  How  could  they  have  been 
otherwise  than  sorely  vexed,  at  finding  so  small  a 
council,  —  consisting  of  but  two  members,  and  only 
one  of  them  present  by  the  vote  of  his  church,  —  con- 
vened on  so  important  an  occasion,  and  evidently 
determined  to  thwart  their  wishes,  and  to  carry  on, 
at  all  risks,  the  solemn  business  of  the  day.  In  such 
a  state  of  feeling  as  then  existed,  it  was  hardly  to  be 
expected  that  their  indignation  should  not  have  been 
roused  to  the  highest  pitch.  The  consequences  that 
followed  were  chargeable  to  the  council  more  than  to 
themselves.  Nor  were  the  council  without  anticipa- 
tion of  the  disorders  which  were  likely  to  ensue  :  for 
being  afraid  of  confusion  and  violence,  if  they  passed 
through  the  public  streets,  they  were  led  out  through 
the  back  gate  of  Mr.  Webb's  garden,  (which  covered 
the  ground  now  occupied  by  the  church  at  the  corner 
of  Salem  and  Bennett-streets,)  across  Tileston-street, 
then  called  Love-lane,  and  through  an  alley  which 


14 


opens  immediately  in  front  of  the  New  North  Meet- 
ing-house ;  and  thus  were  enabled,  by  stratagem,  to 
obtain  possession  of  the  pulpit. 

The  tumultuous  scene  which  followed  their  ap- 
pearance in  the  church,  I  will  not  attempt  to  describe. 
The  accounts  of  it  which  have  come  down  to  us, 
have  the  appearance  of  great  exaggeration.  But 
the  doings  of  men  in  an  hour  of  excited  passion  con- 
form to  no  rule.  At  such  times  all  ordinary  stand- 
ards of  propriety  and  decency  are  liable  to  be  set  at 
nought,  and  all  feeling  of  veneration  forgotten,  whilst 
even  the  consecrated  altar  and  the  most  solemn  ser- 
vices of  religion  may  be  profaned  by  those  who,  in 
their  sober  moments  would  be  the  last  to  countenance 
an  act  of  desecration.  In  the  midst  of  the  uproar, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Cheever,  having  gone  through  the  usual 
ceremony  of  asking  the  votes  of  the  church  in  con- 
formation  of  their  choice  of  the  candidate,  and  having 
heard  his  public  acceptance  of  their  call,  proceeded 
to  proclaim,  "  The  Rev.  Peter  Thacher  to  be  the 
pastor  of  the  New  North  Church,  regular]]}  inducted 
into  the  sacred  office." 

Such,  my  friends,  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  historv 
of  the  difficulties  which  led  to  the  building  of  this 
house.  I  have  endeavored  to  execute  it  with  perfect 
fairness.  If  1  have  stated  the  case  too  favorablv  on 
the  side  of  the  founders  of  this  church,  it  is  not  be- 
cause I  have  wished  to  defend  them  by  warping  the 
truth  :  but  because  such  is  my  deliberate  judgment, 
formed  after  long  and  careful  investigation  of  all  the 
documents  which  I  have1  been  able  to  procure.    That 


15 


they  were  not  free  from  undue  passion,  in  their  con- 
duct of  the  controversy,  1  have  not  denied.  We 
cannot  but  regret  that  their  cause  was  not  managed 
with  a  better  temper.  But  their  opposition  was 
based  on  principle,  and  the  first  impulse  of  their 
movement  was  a  conscientious  scruple  which  com- 
mands respect. 

Immediately  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Thacher, 
the  dissentients  withdrew,  and  adopted  measures  for 
erecting  the  building  we  now  occupy.  The  number 
of  the  first  associates  was  twenty-four.  Their  first 
meeting  was  held  on  the  14th  of  November,  1720, 
at  which  time  it  was  "  voted,  that  some  of  them 
should  treat  with  Mr.  Thomas  Roby,  of  Cambridge, 
for  the  purchase  of  a  certain  tract  or  piece  of  land," 
a  suitable  lot  for  a  church.  These  associates  "  ad- 
vanced and  paid  for  said  land  in  equal  proportion, 
which,  with  the  charges  arising  on  the  same,  amount- 
ed to  twenty-three  pounds,  ten  shillings,  from  each, 
or  five  hundred  and  sixty-four  pounds."  On  the  12th 
of  December,  a  building  committee  of  seven  was 
chosen,  "  to  agree  with  workmen  to  erect,  build,  and 
finish  a  brick  house,  suitable  for  the  public  worship 
of  God,  with  all  convenient  speed  and  despatch,  ac- 
cording to  a  plan  offered  to  the  society,  by  Edward 
Pell,"  one  of  the  committee.  The  same  committee 
was  also  clothed  with  authority  to  admit  sixteen  more 
members  into  the  society,  upon  payment  of  the  same 
sum  contributed  by  the  original  proprietors.  The 
desired  number  of  forty  was  soon  complete.  The 
house  being  finished,  the  forty  proprietors  assembled 


16 


on  the  5th  of  May  for  the  choice  of  pews.  The 
first  choice  was  given  to  John  Frisell  and  William 
(lark,  "  for  their  great  good  will  and  benefactions  to 
said  work,"  then  to  the  rest  of  the  building  commit- 
tee, and  then  to  the  other  proprietors,  determined  by 
lot.  On  the  next  day  the  remainder  of  the  pews  on 
the  lower  floor  were  distributed  by  lot  amongst  such 
buyers  "  as  it  had  been  thought  for  the  interest  of 
the  society  to  allow  to  become  their  purchasers ; ' 
and  on  the  8th  of  May,  the  same  order  wTas  taken 
in  regard  to  the  distribution  of  the  pews  in  the  gal- 
lery. 

The  10th  of  May,  1721,  had  been  agreed  upon 
for  the  dedication  of  the  house,  to  be  kept  as  a  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer,  "  to  beg  the  smiles  of  Divine 
Providence  on  the  proprietors  and  all  others  that 
shall  be  concerned  with  them."  Dr.  Increase  Math- 
er was  desired  to  preach  the  forenoon  sermon  on  that 
occasion,  but  he  excused  himself  by  reason  of  his 
great  age.  He  however  consented  to  commence  the 
morning  services  with  prayer.  A  sermon  followed 
from  Cotton  Mather,  on  the  words  of  the  tenth  verse 
of  the  twenty-fourth  Psalm :  "  Who  is  this  King  of 
Glory  ?  The  Lord  of  Hosts,  he  is  the  King  of  Glor\ ." 
Dr.  \\  illiam  Cooper,  colleague  pastor  of  Brattle-street, 
offered  the  concluding  prayer.  The  exercises  of  the 
afternoon  began  with  prayer  bv  Dr.  Benjamin  Col- 
man,  of  Brattle-street.  Mr.  Wadsworth,  of  the  first 
church,  afterwards  president  of  Harvard  College, 
preached,  from  Revelations,  second  chapter  and  first 
verse  :  "Unto  the  angel   of  the  church  of  Ephesus, 


17 


write  :  These  thinjrs  saith  he  that  holdcth  the  seven 
stars  in  his  right  hand,  who  walketh  in  the  midst  of 
the  golden  candlesticks." 

"  The  house,"  says  Mr.  Ware,  "  appears  to  have 
been  regarded  at  that  time,  and  for  many  years  after, 
as  a  building  of  uncommon  elegance  and  taste.  The 
preacher  expressed  only  the  common  opinion,  when 
he  said,  "  I  suppose  that  there  is  not  in  all  the  land 
a  more  beautiful  house  built  for  the  worship  of  God, 
than  this,  whereof  you  now  appear  to  make  a  dedi- 
cation unto  the  Lord.  But  what  will  it  signify,"  he 
added,  "  if  the  beauty  of  holiness  be  not  here." 

The  house  in  its  present  condition,  especially  in 
the  interior,  gives  but  a  faint  idea  of  its  original  ap- 
pearance. The  pulpit  stood  in  the  middle  of  the 
north  side.  In  front  of  it  were  two  enclosures,  one 
a  little  more  elevated  than  the  other,  for  the  elders' 
and  deacons'  seats.  On  each  side  of  the  broad-aisle, 
in  front  of  the  pews,  were  several  long  seats  for  the 
aged.  The  pews  were  square.  There  were  two 
rows  of  galleries  on  the  west  side,  one  on  the  south 
and  one  on  the  east.  The  last  was  called  the 
"women's  gallery,"  and  the  others,  the  "men's." 
The  only  access  to  these  galleries  was  by  flights  of 
stairs  on  the  inside  of  the  house.  The  upper  gal- 
lery appears  to  have  been  but  little  used,  except  by 
boys,  who  sometimes  resorted  there  to  play  during 
service-time  ;  for  which  reason  the  entrance  to  it 
was  most  of  the  time  kept  closed,  till  the  year  1808, 
when  it  was  converted  into  a  hall  for  social  meetings 
and  the  use  of  the  singers.     A  time-piece,   the  gift 

3 


18 


of  Mr.  Barret  Dyre,  in  1721,  hung  opposite  to  the 

pulpit,  and  kept  its  place  till  1820,  when  it  was  re- 
placed by  the  present,  through  the  liberality  of  the 
late  Samuel  Parkman,  Esq.*  The  exterior  of  the 
house  was  not  at  first  painted.  The  spire  was  with- 
out bell  or  dial.  There  were  porches  of  entrance  on 
the  west,  south  and  east.  The  whole  space  in  the 
rear  of  the  church,  to  what  was  then  called  Fore- 
street,  now  Ann-street,  was  vacant,  and  probably  the 
ground  was  open  for  some  distance  on  both  sides, 
which,  as  the  church  occupies  a  small  eminence, 
gave  it  at  that  period  a  commanding  aspect. 

The  mode  of  conducting  the  public  services  was 
also  very  different  from  the  present.  The  scriptures 
were  not  read  till  the  year  1729,  when  the  proprie- 
tors "  voted  that  the  Bible  offered  to  the  church  by 
Captain  Henry  Deering,  in  order  for  the  minister's 
reading  or  explaining,  be  accepted ;  and  also  that  a 
committee  be  appointed  to  make  choice  of  a  conve- 
nient place  for  laying  the  Bible  when  made  use  of ;': 
w7hich  last  vote  clearly  shows  that  the  original  pulpit 
was  constructed  in  a  different  manner  from  the  pres- 
ent. Another  difference  is  indicated  in  the  following 
vote,  viz  :  "  that  Mr.  John  Waldo  read  the  Psalm  " — 
that  is,  line  by  line  — "  and  Mr.  Moses  Pearce  set  the 
tune,  until  further  notice.'1  It  is  probable  that,  at 
this  period,  there  was  ordinarily  but  one  psalm  sung 
in  the  course  of  each  service ;  and  as  there  was  no 
instrumental    music,   and  no  reading  of  the  Bible, 

*  See  Appendix,  B. 


19 


what  we  have  heard  of  the  length  of  the  sermons 
and  the  prayers,  and  of  the  patience  of  the  hearers 
during  the  same,  will  appear  the  less  surprising,  as 
the  whole  time  occupied  by  the  worship  could  not 
have  been  much  longer  than  in  our  own  day. 

A  church  was  first  gathered  amongst  the  worship- 
ers on  the  22nd  day  of  May,  1722.  The  only  creed 
which  is  attached  to  the  covenant  is  of  the  very  sim- 
plest and  most  general  form,  being  embodied  in  these 
words  ;  "  We  declare  our  serious  belief  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  as  contained  in  the  sacred  scriptures." 
An  acknowledgment  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity 
is  however  implied  in  the  phraseology  of  several  of 
the  obligations.  The  covenant  is  not  lengthy,  being 
little  more  than  an  engagement  to  live  a  life  of 
obedience  to  Christ,  to  love  and  watch  over  one 
another,  and  to  keep  all  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel ; 
with  the  addition  of  "  an  offering  and  presentation  of 
their  seed  unto  the  Lord,  and  a  promise  to  do  their 
part  in  the  methods  of  a  religious  education,  so  that 
their  children  also  may  be  the  Lord's." 

The  same  day  on  which  the  church  was  gathered, 
William  Waidron,  the  first  pastor,  was  ordained.  He 
had  preached  for  some  time,  as  a  candidate,  in  con- 
nection with  Mr.  Joshua  Gee,  afterwards  pastor  of 
the  Old  North  Church.  He  was  chosen  on  the  26th 
of  September,  1721,  having  received  fifty  votes,  and 
Mr.  Gee  thirteen.  He  was  the  last  who  received 
ordination  at  the  hands  of  the  venerable  Increase 
Mather. 

Mr.  Waidron  was  a  member  of  one  of  the   most 


20 


respectable  and  influential  families  in  New-Hampshire. 
ile  was  son  of  Col.  Richard  Waldron  of  Portsmouth, 
and  grandson  of  Major  Richard  Waldron  of  Dover, 
—  the  story  of  whose  tragical  end  is  one  of  the  most 
affecting  in  the  annals  of  our  early  Indian  wars.  He 
was  born  at  Portsmouth  on  the  4th  of  November, 
1G97,  and  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1717. 
His  ministry  of  only  five  years  was  too  short  to  make 
full  proof  of  his  plans  and  eapaeities  of  usefulness ; 
but  (c\v  clergymen  have  been  more  affectionately 
commemorated  by  their  professional  associates.  The 
library  of  our  church  contains  a  volume  of  sermons, 
which  were  preached  on  the  occasion  of  his  death 
by  the  most  celebrated  of  his  compeers.  In  reading 
these  it  is  doubtless  necessary  to  make  considerable 
allowance  for  the  naturally  exaggerated  encomiums 
of  warm  personal  friendship,  and  freshly  excited  sym- 
pathy. But  when  this  is  done  to  the  fullest  extent, 
there  remains  indubitable  evidence  that  the  character 
of  our  first  minister  was  of  more  than  ordinarv  worth. 
To  a  finished  education,  was  superadded  the  still  more 
excellent  qualification  for  the  ministry,  the  grace  of 
early  piety.  His  most  intimate  friend,  Dr.  Cooper, 
dwells  particularly  upon  this  characteristic,  and  illus- 
trates it  b)'  a  brief  anecdote,  which  has  so  much  of 
the  savour  of  that  old  time,  that  I  am  tempted  to  re- 
peat it.  "In  his  early  childhood,  says  Dr.  Cooper, 
a  particular  providence  set  the  wheel  of  prayer  a-go- 
ing, and  I  believe  it  never  wholly  stopped  afterwards. 
This  he  once  gave  me  an  account  of  in  a  retired  con- 
versation, and   1   suppose   I  was  the  only  person  to 


21 


whom  he  mentioned  it.  His  dear  parents  were  gone 
somewhere  by  water,  when  a  storm  arose,  with  sud- 
den gusts  of  wind,  when  it  was  supposed  they  were 
returning  home.  The  little  boy  heard  his  family 
speak  of  the  danger  they  might  be  in.  This  so 
alarmed  his  fear,  ihat  he  went  away  alone  to  seek 
God  in  their  behalf,  and  pray  that  they  might  be  pre- 
served and  returned  in  safety.  And  having  begun 
thus  successfully  to  pray  for  his  parents,  he  afterwards 
continued  to  pray  for  himself.  1  also  know,''  said 
he,  "  that,  while  at  college,  he  was  one  of  those 
young  students  who  used  to  meet  on  the  evening  of 
the  Lord's  day,  for  prayer  and  other  exercises  of  so- 
cial religion." 

As  a  preacher  he  was  remarkable  for  soundness  of 
argument,  plainness  and  directness  of  speech,  and 
gravity  of  manner.  His  temper  was  naturally  oblig- 
ing and  his  affections  warm,  whilst  at  the  same  time 
he  was  too  independent  to  stoop  to  any  little  acts  to 
conciliate  favor,  and  too  stern  in  integrity  ever  to 
prostitute  his  conscience.  He  was,  like  most  of  the 
clergymen  of  New-England,  a  hearty  patriot,  and  a 
steady  friend  and  advocate  of  all  the  civil  privileges 
which  the  people  then  enjoyed.  He  was  also  a  strict 
and  very  zealous  congregationalist.  If  he  had  lived 
longer,  there  is  no  doubt  that  he  would  have  exerted 
a  powerful  influence  in  the  community,  and  have  left 
more  conspicuous  memorials  upon  the  records  of  this 
Church.  But  Providence  had  another  destiny  in  store 
for  him.  His  death  took  place  on  the  11th  of  Sep- 
tember,   1727.     "  He    died,"  says  Cotton    Mather, 


99 


"nobly.  So  to  die,  is  indeed  no  dying.  'lis  but 
flying  away  with  the  wings  of  the  morning  into  the 
paradise  of  God."* 

Mr.  William  Welsteed  was  chosen  successor  of 
Mr.  Waldron,  on  the  16th  January,  1727.  He  was 
born  in  Boston  in  1G95.  He  had  been  a  tutor  at 
the  college  for  several  years,  and  appears  to  have  at- 
tracted some  notice1  as  a  preacher  before  his  invitation 
to  settle  over  this  church.  1  find  it  stated  in  a  cen- 
tury sermon,  delivered  at  Weston  bv  Dr.  Samuel 
Kendall,  in  1813,  that  Mr.  Welsteed  received  a  call 
to  be  the  minister  of  the  church  in  that  town  in 
August,  1722.  He  had  also  preached  with  much 
approbation,  as  a  candidate  at  Portsmouth.  It  is 
somewhat  singular  in  relation  to  his  preaching  at  the 
latter  place,  that  several  letters  have  been  preserved 
and  are  nowT  in  my  possession,  from  our  first  pastor, 
Mr.  Waldron,  to  his  brother  Richard  in  Portsmouth, 
in  which  he  speaks  of  Mr.  Welsteed  in  the  following 
terms.  "  He  is  a  good  man  and  true  ;  a  good  scholar, 
a  good  preacher,  and  a  gentlemanly  man,  I  am  sooth 
to  say,  but,  all  things  considered,  1  don't  think  he 
would  suit  Portsmouth  so  well  as  some  others." —  He 
alludes  here  to  Professer  Wigglesworth,  to  whom  he 
was  devotedly  attached,  and  whom  he  used  all  his 
efforts  to  have  chosen  by  the  society  in  Portsmouth 
—  of  which  his  brother  was  one  of  the  most  influen- 
tial members. f 

Mr.  Welsteed  continued  the  sole  minister  of  this 

'  See  Appendix,  C.  f  See  Appendix,  D. 


23 


church  for  about  ten  years,  when  Mr.  Ellis  Gray  was 
unanimously  chosen  to  the  office  of  colleague  pastor. 
He  was  sou  of  Mr.  Edward  Gray,  who  in  early  life 
came  over  from  England  to  this  country,  and  by 
industry  and  integrity  amassed  a  considerable  for- 
tune. A  man  eminently  charitable  and  universally 
esteemed,  to  whose  virtues  and  beneficence  a  high 
tribute  remains  in  a  funeral  sermon,  preached  by 
Dr.  Chauncy  on  the  occasion  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Welsteed  and  Mr.  Gray  were  both  of  them 
men  of  respectable  talents,  but  in  no  respect  remark- 
ably distinguished,  They  lived  harmoniously  togeth- 
er in  the  discharge  of  their  professional  duties,  and 
fulfilled  a  plain  and  useful  ministry.  I  can  add  no- 
thing to  the  record  which  Mr.  Ware  has  given  of  the 
history  of  the  church  whilst  under  their  charge.  "It 
was  at  this  period  that  our  Friday  evening  lecture  be- 
fore the  communion,  was  established,  and  that  the  old 
custom  was  dropped  of  singing  by  the  separate  read- 
ing of  each  line.  In  1751,  Watts'  Psalms  and 
Hymns  were  introduced  in  the  worship  of  the  Sab- 
bath, and  continued  in  use  until  superseded  by 
Belknap's  Collection  in  1817,  a  period  of  sixty- 
six  years." 

Mr.  VVelsteed's  true  character,  is  doubtless  depict- 
ed by  one  of  his  contemporaries,  who  said  of  him, 
that  he  was  an  excellent  Christian,  an  accomplished 
gentleman  and  exemplary  minister ;  amiable  and  en- 
gaging in  his  conduct,  and  lovely  in  his  temper ;  liv- 
ing a  benevolent,  gracious  and  useful  life.  Mr.  Gray 
is  described  as  a  man  of  candor,  prudence,  and  sin- 


2 1 


cerity,  of  solid  judgment  and  warm  heart;  peculiarly 
fitted  for  the  whole  of  his  sacred  office;  of  clear  and 
pathetic  elocution,  and  of  uncommon  command  of 
devotional  sentiment  in  his  prayers;  honest  and  firm 
in  his  principles,  kind  and  obliging  to  all,  and  univer- 
sally respected  by  the  friends  of  piety  and  virtue. 

"  The  circumstances  attending  the  death  of  these 
two  ministers,  were  remarkable  and  melancholy. 
Gray,  the  junior  pastor,  died  suddenly  of  the  palsy  on 
the  Lord's  day,  January  7,  1753,  in  the  thirty-seventh 
year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifteenth  of  his  ministry.  His 
senior  colleague  survived  him  not  quite  four  months. 
He  died  on  the  29th  of  April,  having  been  also  struck 
with  the  palsy  in  church  on  Sunday,  just  after  the 
commencement  of  his  morning  prayer,  having  lived 
fifty-seven  years,  and  been  minister  twenty-five. 
Here  was  the  melancholy  spectacle  of  a  church  in 
mourning  for  two  pastors  at  once  ;  both  cut  off  sud- 
denly in  the  midst  of  life.  And  to  render  the  visita- 
tion  yet  more  affecting,  they  both  died  of  the  same 
disease,  both  died  on  the  Sabbath,  both  on  the  com- 
munion Sabbath,  and  both  at  the  same  time  of  the 
day ;  each  having  preached  for  the  last  time  to  his 
own  people,  and  the  last  sermon  preached  by  both 
being  on  the  same  text  —  "Redeeming  the  time  be- 
cause the  days  are  evil."  * 

The  record  of  this  solemn  incident,  my  friends, 
forms  no  inappropriate  conclusion  to  the  present  dis- 
course.     I  shall  continue  these  reminiscences  this  af- 

*  Mr.  Ware's  Century  Sermon. 


25 


ternoon.  To  some  of  you,  perhaps,  they  may  appear 
unnecessarily  minute  and  tedious.  But  I  trust  they 
are  not  so  regarded  by  those  who  sympathise  with  the 
preacher  in  loving  the  very  stones  and  dust  of  this 
old  Sanctuary,  consecrated  as  it  has  been  by  the 
worship  of  past  generations,  and  who  take  a  sacred 
pleasure  in  perpetuating  the  remembrance  of  those 
men  of  God,  the  fruits  of  whose  labors  and  prayers, 
we  are  enjoying  to-day  in  our  political  freedom  and 
our  religious  peace. 


4 


SERMON    II. 


In  my  discourse  of  this  forenoon,  the  history  of  the 
New  Brick  Church  was  brought  down  to  the  period 
of  the  death  of  the  colleague  pastors,  Welsteed  and 
Gray,  in  the  year  1753.  Before  proceeding  with  the 
record,  it  may  be  useful  to  take  a  brief  survey  of  the 
religious  aspects  of  the  community,  during  the  thirty 
years  which  had  now  elapsed  since  the  building  of 
this  house. 

At  the  time  when  this  church  was  gathered,  Bos- 
ton enjoyed  the  labors  of  an  eminently  pious  and 
learned  ministry.  Cotton  Mather,  in  his  peculiarly 
rhapsodical  stvle,  in  allusion  to  this  fact,  exclaims, 
"  O,  city,  highly  favored  of  the  Lord  ;  how  canst 
thou  be  too  thankful  for  such  inestimable  blessings ! 
The  whole  country  will  feel  the  sweet  influences  of 
more  than  seven  stars  that  irradiate  its  metropolis.'1 
Notwithstanding,  however,  the  sweet  influences  of 
these  luminaries,  it  is  sufficiently  evident  that  there 
w  as  but  little  religious  life  manifested  in  the  churches. 


27 


There  were,  indeed,  general  complaints  amongst 
pious  and  elderly  persons,  of  a  great  decay  of  godli- 
ness, and  expressions  of  discouragement  at  the  reli- 
gious and  moral  declension  of  the  community,  were 
frequent  on  the  lips  of  the  clergy.  In  this  state  of 
things,  all  the  usual,  and  many  unusual  methods  were 
resorted  to,  to  produce  one  of  those  "  revivals  of  re- 
ligion," which  in  those  days,  as  well  as  in  our  own, 
were  held  by  many  in  the  highest  esteem.  All  these 
efforts,  however,  appear  to  have  met  with  very  little 
success,  until  the  year  1727,  when  an  event  occurred 
which,  under  the  management  of  zealous  religionists, 
was  well  calculated  to  produce  the  desired  effect. 
On  the  night  of  Sunday,  October  29th,  in  this  year, 
the  whole  country  was  visited  with  a  violent  shock 
of  an  earthquake,  the  sound  and  shaking  of  which 
are  described  as  having  been  terrific  at  Boston,  and 
to  have  carried  the  greatest  consternation  to  the  in- 
habitants, who  were  roused  from  their  sleep  by  such 
an  unusual  and  startling  phenomenon.  On  the  next 
day,  and  for  several  succeeding  days,  the  churches 
were  crowded,  and  by  the  proclamation  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was 
appointed,  to  supplicate  the  mercy  of  God,  and  es- 
pecially the  "  conversion  of  the  people."  As  may 
well  be  supposed,  a  great  religious  excitement  was 
the  result  of  these  measures,  and  many  were 
awakened  and  added  to  the  churches.  But  with  the 
subsiding  of  the  alarm,  the  interest,  also,  soon  passed 
away ;  and  the  historian  of  the  times,  who  was  him- 
self a  friend  to  such  excitements,  is  compelled  in 


28 


Fairness  to  confess,  that  the  professions  of  many  were 
hut  as  the  morning  cloud  and  the  early  dew.* 

Things  continued  in  about  the  same  condition, 
until  the  year  1740,  when  many  of  the  ministry 
having  heard  from  across  the  ocean  the  fame  of  the 
success  which  followed  the  preaching  of  the  renown- 
ed George  Whitefield,  sent  him  an  invitation  to  visit 
this  country.  In  compliance  with  their  request,  he 
arrived  in  Boston,  on  his  first  visit,  in  the  month  of 
September,  1740.  The  people  flocked  in  crowds  to 
hear  him.  [Ministers  as  well  as  their  congregations 
were  powerfully  impressed  by  his  preaching.  Meet- 
ings were  multiplied.  A  universal  awakening  ensued, 
and  multitudes  were  added  to  many  of  the  churches. 
The  pastors  of  this  church  were  not  unfriendly  to 
these  proceedings,  though  they  appear  to  have  taken 
no  very  active  interest  or  conspicuous  part  in  them. 
The  records  of  that  period  are  very  imperfect,  and 
it  is  impossible  to  determine  with  accuracy  how  far 
this  church  was  affected  by  the  general  increase.  It 
is,  however,  perfectly  clear  that  this  congregation 
passed  with  steadiness  and  dignity,  through  the  dis- 
sensions and  agitations  which  attended  and  followed 
this  period  of  unprecedented  excitement.  With  pru- 
dent and  moderate  men  at  the  helm  of  its  affairs,  if 
it  did  not  enjoy  to  the  same  degree  with  some  others, 
the  good  and  valuable  fruits  of  this  great  awakening, 
neither  did  it  greatly  suffer  from  its  extravagancies 
and  ill   effects.      For  a  sober  review  of  this  inter- 

*  Prince's  Christian  History. 


29 


esting  period  of  our  ecclesiastical  history,  will  easily 
lead  us  to  the  conclusion  that,  in  this,  as  in  all  other 
seasons  of  extraordinary  excitement,  the  good  was 
not  unmixed  with  evil,  and  that  much  of  what  was 
gained  to  the  interests  of  true  Christianity  by  an  in- 
crease of  fervor,  was  lost  to  the  same  by  a  diminu- 
tion of  charity,  moderation  and  discretion. 

In  relation  to  the  affairs  of  this  church,  during  the 
period  of  which  we  are  speaking,  a  few  particulars 
only  require  our  notice  in  addition  to  what  has  been 
already  related. 

The  interests  of  the  society  had  been  generally  in 
a  prosperous  condition.  The  congregation  w7as  rent 
by  no  intestine  divisions.  The  ancient  feud  with  its 
neighbor  and  mother,  the  New  North,  had  been  heal- 
ed and  well  nigh  forgotten.  The  greatest  attach- 
ment had  been  felt  to  its  three  pastors,  and  every 
mark  of  attention  and  respect,  that  they  could  have 
desired,  had  been  shown  to  them.  In  their  lives 
they  were  repeatedly  furnished  with  help  in  the  sup- 
ply of  the  pulpit,  even  for  months  at  a  time,  and 
were  gratified  with  valuable  presents  of  wood  and 
money,  in  addition  to  their  regular  stipend.  In  their 
sickness  the  church  had  variouslv  ministered  to  their 
comfort,  and  kept  days  of  fasting  and  prayer  for  their 
recovery ;  and  when  they  died,  their  funeral  obse- 
quies were  performed  at  the  charge  of  the  parish, 
with  demonstrations  of  unfeigned  respect ;  and  their 
names  were  cherished  in  grateful  remembrance.  In- 
deed, it  is  particularly  and  emphatically  said,  in  the 
obituary  notices   of  Waldron,   that   "  the   great  and 


.;<> 


exemplary  respect  '  shown  by  this  society  to  their 
minister,  "  deserved  to  be  everywhere  told  as  a  me- 
morial of  them." 

The  house,  moreover,  had  been  several  times  re- 
paired, and  gradually  beautified.  A  bell  had  been 
hung  in  its  tower,  and  its  walls  handsomely  painted. 
And  everything  within  and  without  the  building  pre- 
sented an  appearance  indicative  of  the  good  condi- 
tion of  the  parish,  and  gratifying  to  all  who  loved  the 
place  where  God's  honor  dwelleth.* 

Nearly  a  year  elapsed  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Wei* 
steed,  before  the  appointment  of  a  successor.  The 
unanimous  choice  of  the  church,  and  a  very  large 
vote  of  the  congregation,  selected  for  this  office  the 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Pemberton,  whose  installation  took 
place  on  the  6th  of  March,  1754. 

Mr.  Pemberton  was  son  of  an  eminent  clergyman 
of  the  same  name,  who  was  for  many  years  pastor  of 
the  Old  South  Church.  In  the  earlier  part  of  his 
life  he  had  been  chaplain  at  Castle-AVilliam.  In 
April,  1727,  he  had  received  an  invitation  from  the 
first  Presbyterian  Church  in  New-\ork,  to  settle  as 
their  minister,  with  the  request  that  he  should  be 
ordained  in  Boston.  Accordingly,  his  ordination 
took  place  on  the  9th  of  August  in  that  year  ;  from 
which  period  he  resided  in  New- York,  in  the  charge 
of  the  above-named  church,  for  twenty-two  years. 
Of  the  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  duties  in 
that  city,  1  find  the  most  honorable  mention  made  in 

*  See  Appendix,  F. 


31 


Smith's  History  of  New- York.  It  is  there  said  of 
him  that  he  was  a  man  of  polite  breeding,  pure 
morals,  and  warm  devotion  ;  under  whose  ineessant 
labors  the  congregation  greatly  increased,  and  was 
enabled  to  erect  them  a  spacious  church  in  1748. 
But  on  account  of  trifling  contentions,  kindled  by 
the  bigotry  and  ignorance  of  the  lower  sort  of  peo- 
ple, he  at  length  requested  his  dismission.  There  is 
preserved  on  our  records  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the 
Presbytery  of  New- York,  signed  by  the  father  of  the 
late  Aaron  Burr,  as  moderator,  conveying  the  most 
honorable  testimony  of  the  Presbytery,  to  Mr.  Pem- 
berton's  "  ministerial  dignity,  abilities  and  success, 
and  their  cheerful  recommendation  of  him  as  an  em- 
inently endowed  and  highly  esteemed  preacher." 

As  soon  as  this  society  heard  of  his  intention  to 
leave  New- York,  they  became  eager  to  engage  his 
services,  as  he  was  regarded  at  that  time  a  gifted  and 
powerful  preacher.  At  the  period  of  his  settlement 
here,  he  enjoyed  a  degree  of  popularity  such  as  had 
fallen  to  the  lot  of  few  who  had  ever  stood  in  a  Bos- 
ton pulpit,  and  attracted  to  this  house  a  crowded 
congregation.  But  he  lived  to  experience,  even  be- 
yond what  is  usual  in  such  cases,  the  proverbial 
fickleness  of  popular  favor.  In  the  latter  part  of  his 
life  his  congregation  sadly  dwindled.  Instead  of  the 
throngs  which  used  to  gather  before  him,  his  eye 
looked  down  upon  only  a  few  familiar  faces  scattered 
about  amongst  almost  empty  pews.  But  the  de- 
clension of  his  fame  was  not  more  attributable  to 
any  deterioration  of  his  ability,  than  to  the  influence 


32 


of  political  odium.  The  inhabitants  of  the  North 
End,  as  is  well  known,  were  almost  all  of  them 
staunch  and  uncompromising  whigs.  Dr.  Pemberton 
was  a  warm  friend  of  Gov.  Hutchinson,  who  was  a 
worshipper  at  his  church,  and  therefore  fell  under 
the  suspicion  of  sharing  his  attachment  to  the  tory 
interest.  For  this  reason,  doubtless,  some  of  his  con- 
gregation left  him. 

As  the  war  of  the  Revolution  approached,  Dr.  Pem- 
bertoirs  health  declined,  and  the  condition  of  his 
parish  became  feeble  and  discouraging.  At  no  other 
period  in  its  history  were  its  affairs  at  so  low  an  ebb. 
Efforts  were  made  to  settle  a  colleague  who  mi^ht 
redeem  the  credit  of  the  church  —  but  in  vain.  Sev- 
eral distinguished  young  men  were  selected  as  candi- 
dates. Amongst  others  Mr.  Buckminster.  the  father 
of  the  lamented  Buckminster  of  Boston,  and  Mr. 
Isaac  Storv.  afterwards  of  Atarblehead.*  The  former 
was  most  agreeable  to  Dr.  Pemberton.  the  latter 
to  his  parishioners.  But  the  troubles  of  the  year 
1775  put  an  end  to  all  the  proceedings  of  the  Society. 
At  the  close  of  the  month  of  April  in  that  year,  the 
inhabitants  generally  left  Boston,  and  this  house  was 
closed. 

The  desecration  of  several  of  our  churches  by  the 
British  during  the  blockade  of  Boston,  is  a  matter  of 
history,  with  which  all  of  vou  are  familiar.  A\  hilst 
the  Old  North  was  demolished,  the  Old  South  turned 
into  a  circus,  and  the  steeple  of  the  West  Church  torn 

*  Sec  Appendix.  H. 


33 


down,  no  violence  was  offered  to  this  edifice,  partly, 
it  may  be,  for  the  reason  that  its  pastor  had  given  no 
cause  of  offence  to  his  country's  enemies,  and  that 
its  most  distinguished  worshiper  was  their  ally  and 
friend. 

Dr.  Pemberton  resided  during  the  siege  at  Ando- 
ver.  His  health  had  been  for  some  time  feeble,  and 
his  pulpit  had  been  supplied  for  several  months  be- 
fore he  left  the  town.  Indeed,  he  had  for  a  long  time 
previous,  generously  relinquished  his  salary,  and  from 
the  beginning  of  February,  1774,  never  received  any- 
thing from  the  parish.  I  cannot  ascertain  that,  after 
the  evacuation  of  the  town,  he  ever  appeared  in  the 
pulpit.  It  is  probable  that  his  increasing  infirmities 
prevented  him  even  from  attending  worship.  No 
notice  is  made  of  him  at  this  time  on  our  records,  nor 
have  I  been  able  to  ascertain  any  thing  more  concern- 
ing the  circumstances  of  his  death,  than  is  contained  in 
a  single  sentence  in  an  old  newspaper  —  "  On  Tues- 
day morning,  last,  September  9,  1779,  departed  this 
life,  after  a  long  confinement,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pember- 
ton, his  funeral  to  be  attended  this  P.  M.,  at  three 
o'clock.'5  His  connection  with  this  society  was  never 
formally  dissolved,  but  gradually  loosened,  till  at  length 
it  existed  merely  in  name.* 

But  I  cannot  dismiss  this  brief  notice  of  the  min- 
istry of  Dr.  Pemberton,  without  allusion  to  a  single 
circumstance,  which  is  of  too  gratifying  a  nature  not 
to  be  commemorated  on  this  occasion.     The  neigh- 

*  See  Appendix,  I. 


34 


boring  Baptist  society  then  under  the  charge  of  Dr. 
Still  man,  in  the  spring  of  1771,  being  about  to  build  a 
new  church,  made  application  for  the  use  of  this  house 
till  such  time  as  their  own  should  be  fit  for  worship. 
The  request  was  unanimously  and  most  cordially 
granted.  And  from  June  till  December  of  that  year 
the  two  congregations  worshiped  together,  the  pas- 
tors of  both  officiating  by  turns.  The  texts  both  of 
the  first  and  the  last  of  Dr.  Stillman's  sermons,  have 
been  preserved  on  our  records,  with  strong  commend- 
ation of  the  discourses.  What  volumes  of  Christian 
sentiment  do  these  texts  convey !  would  that  their 
spirit  had  never  been  departed  from  by  the  succeeding 
members  of  either,  or  of  any  denomination.  His 
subject  on  coming  into  this  pulpit  was  this,  "  Behold, 
how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together  in  unity ; '  and  on  taking  leave  of  it, 
"  Finally,  brethren,  farewell.  Be  of  one  mind  ;  live 
in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be 
with  you.'3  1  mention  this  incident  with  the  greater 
pleasure,  by  reason  of  the  recent  and  very  friendly 
offer  of  hospitality  which  has  been  extended  to  our- 
selves from  the  descendants  of  those  whom  our 
fathers  so  cordially  entertained.  HowT  beautiful  are 
even  the  smallest  acts  of  brotherly  kindness,  in  the 
midst  of  the  party  divisions  and  sectarian  prejudices, 
which  occupy  so  large  a  space  in  the  religious  history 
of  our  age.  Our  early  records  have  no  fairer  page 
than  that  which  is  adorned  with  this  wreath  of  love. 
And  never,  I  believe,  has  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
looked  down  upon  this  temple  with  a  more  approving 


35 


smile,  than  when  those  two  venerable  ministers,  sat 
side  by  side  in  its  pulpit,  and  their  congregations  were 
intermingled  in  its  pews.* 

We  come  now  to  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  this 
church.  The  evacuation  of  Boston  bv  the  British 
was  the  signal  for  the  return  of  the  inhabitants,  who 
came  back  with  mingled  emotions  of  rejoicing  and 
sadness,  —  glad  once  more  to  occupy  unmolested  their 
beloved  homes,  and  pay  their  vows  in  their  venerated 
temples,  whilst  with  a  melancholy  curiosity  and  just 
indignation,  they  surveyed  the  marks  of  violence 
and  ruin  which  hostile  hands  had  left  upon  their  fair 
inheritance.  But  the  hearts  of  none  of  them  were 
more  oppressed  with  gloom  than  those  of  the  former 
members  of  the  Second  Church,  when  revisiting  the 
site  of  their  ancient  sanctuary,  they  found  nothing  in 
its  place  but  a  heap  of  ruins.  This  house,  however, 
offered  them  ample  accommodations,  and  as  its  pulpit 
was  without  an  occupant,  they  were  invited,  with 
their  pastor,  Dr.  John  Lathrop,  to  occupy  it  in  con- 
junction with  its  few  remaining  proprietors.  The 
two  societies  commenced  worshiping  together  on  the 
31st  of  March  1776,  and  on  the  6th  of  May,  1779, 
agreed  upon  and  adopted  a  plan  of  perpetual  union. f 
The  history  of  this  transaction  is  replete  with  inter- 
est, and  I  would  gladly,  if  time  permitted,  lay  before 
you  a  detailed  account  of  an  arrangement  so  aus- 
picious. But  the  necessary  limits  of  this  discourse 
forbid  anything  more  than  the  most  general  statement 
of  the  result, —  as  they  compel  me,  indeed,  to  omit 

*  See  Appendix,  J.  f  See  Appendix,  K. 


36 


in  the  delivery  a  great  variety  of  interesting  particu- 
lars of  our  history,  which  1  have  collected  and  would 
save  from  oblivion.  The  bell  of  the  Old  North 
Church,  which  was  larger  than  ours,  was  hung  in  this 
steeple  in  its  place.  The  communion  service  of  silver 
belonging  to  the  Second  Church,  as  also  their  land 
and  other  property,  which  had  become  useless,  to- 
gether with  our  old  bell,  were  sold  to  purchase  a  par- 
sonage house  for  Dr.  Lathrop.  The  large  Bible  of 
the  Old  North  was  presented  to  the  Second  Church 
in  Newton.* 

The  ministry  of  Dr.  Lathrop  continued  from  the 
junction  of  the  two  societies  to  the  4th  of  January, 
1816,  when  he  "passed  to  his  reward"  at  the  age 
of  seventy -six  years.  There  are  some  still  with  us, 
who  can  distinctly  recall  his  venerable  features,  and 
a  few  who  can  remember  every  important  event  that 
transpired  during  his  occupancy  of  this  pulpit.  His 
character  has  been  so  beautifully  sketched  by  Mr. 
Ware,  in  a  few  strong  and  warm  touches,  and  so 
thoroughly  and  faithfully  described  and  analyzed  in  a 
printed  sermon  delivered  in  this  house  at  his  inter- 
ment, by  the  pastor  of  the  New  North  Church,  that  I 
feel  it  to  be  needless  for  me  to  attempt  its  delineation. 
No  clergyman  of  his  day  is  better  remembered,  and 
none  more  frequently  spoken  of,  or  recalled  with  great- 
er veneration  and  love.  His  name  in  this  section  of  the 
city  is  still  as  a  household  word.  And  the  descrip- 
tions of  his  venerable  form  and  appearance,  that  have 
been  so  often   heard  from  aged  lips  at  your  firesides, 

*  See  Appendix,  L. 


37 


have  given  shape  and  distinctness  to  his  image  even 
to  the  minds  of  your  children.  His  aged  body 
moulders  in  the  granary  burying-ground  ;  his  virtues 
live  in  the  history  of  this  church,  and  his  name  is  still 
young  in  the  hearts  of  rising  generations. 

The  ordination  of  Henry  Ware,  Jr.,  took  place  on 
the  1st  day  of  January,  1817.  His  whole  ministry 
can  be  traced  in  the  recollection  of  many  of  you 
from  its  commencement  to  its  close.  Its  history  has 
been  too  recently  recounted  in  this  place  to  require  a 
repetition  now.  Its  results,  moreover,  are  too  conspic- 
uous to  all  thoughtful  observers,  not  only  of  this  con- 
gregation, but  also  of  our  whole  religious  community,  to 
need  any  memorial  of  mine.  His  record  is  all  around 
us.  This  house  itself,  with  which  his  whole  minis- 
terial life  was  connected ;  in  which  his  persuasive 
voice  was  so  long  heard  ;  whose  walls  he  reverenced 
and  loved,  and  for  his  sake  we  love  and  reverence 
the  more,  —  this  house  is  his  monument.  And  this 
pulpit,  more  especially,  which  he  himself  designed, 
and  which  was  at  once  his  altar  and  his  throne,  is 
his  monument.  What  do  I  say  ?  No  !  —  not  these 
—  for  they  are  perishable  and  soon  to  fall.  His 
monument  is  in  our  hearts  and  shall  endure  forever. 

I  cannot  but  regard  it  as  a  coincidence  worthy  of 
a  passing  notice,  that  his  death  and  the  ruin  of  this 
temple  occur  so  near  together.  If  he  had  lived,  this 
would  have  been  to  him  an  occasion  of  painful  inter- 
est. But  he  is  gone  where  the  mutations  of  human 
things  affect  him  not.  And  yet,  if  the  spirits  of  the 
departed  are  ever  permitted  to  take  cognizance  of 


) 


8 


mortal  affairs,  his  spirit  is  near  us  to-day.  And  with 
it,  the  spirits  of  Lathrop  and  Pemberton  and  Wel- 
steed  and  Gray  and  Waldron,  —  a  sainted  brother- 
hood,  —  revisit,  for  the  last  time,  this  scene  of  their 
common  earthly  labors,  this  gate  of  their  heavenly 
glory.  Nor  these  alone,  but  a  great  multitude  hover 
in  their  train, — of  the  forgotten  and  the  honored,  of 
the  earlier  and  the  later  dead,  the  seals  of  their  min- 
istry and  the  crowns  of  their  rejoicing,  — equally  in- 
terested in  this  consecrated  spot,  where  they  were 
born  for  immortality,  and  learnt  the  songs  of  heaven. 
It  was  in  the  third  year  of  Mr.  Ware's  ministry 
that  the  square  pews,  which  had  existed  in  this  church 
from  the  beginning,  were  removed,  and  also  the  stairs 
that  led  to  the  galleries  within  the  house.  On  the 
14th  of  July,  1822,  a  vote  was  passed  appropriating 
five  hundred  dollars,  to  be  added  to  what  could  be 
obtained  by  subscription,  for  the  purchase  of  an  or- 
gan. In  June,  1823,  it  being  found  that  the  old 
steeple  was  in  a  decayed  and  dangerous  condition,  it 
was  voted  to  take  it  down,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  make  a  thorough  repair  and  alteration  of  the  in- 
terior of  the  house  ;  to  lower  the  ceiling  ;  take  down 
all  the  galleries  but  the  west ;  put  in  new  pews,  and 
change  the  place  of  the  pulpit.  This  plan  was  car- 
ried into  effect,  with  the  single  exception  of  putting 
up  the  two  existing  galleries.  So  radical  a  change, 
as  might  have  been  expected,  did  not  take  place 
without  producing  some  dissatisfaction,  and  many  of 
the  elder  people  have  never  been  quite  reconciled  to 
the  transformation,  even  up  to  the  present  day. 


3!) 


Of  the  ministry  of  the  living  I  may  not  speak 
without  reserve.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson  was  or- 
dained  as  colleague   with  Mr.  Ware,  March   11th, 

1829.  The  latter  resigned  his  office  September  26th, 

1830.  and  Mr.  Emerson  remained  sole  pastor  for  two 
years,  when  he  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request, 
by  reason  of  differences  of  sentiment  between  him- 
self and  the  church  and  society  in  relation  to  the 
Lord's  Supper,  —  differences,  however,  which  were 
entertained  on  both  sides  without  alienation  of  per- 
sonal affection  and  esteem,  and  expressed  on  both 
sides  with  perfect  moderation  and  candor,  —  differ- 
ences which  were  the  more  regretted  as  necessarv 
interruptions  of  a  connection  which  wTas  with  many 
of  the  parish  a  strong  and  pleasant  tie.* 

The  vestry  which  adjoins  the  church,  and  which  is 
to  many  of  us  almost  equally  hallowed  and  dear,  wras 
built,  through  the  well  directed  zeal  of  a  devoted 
friend  of  this  parish,  —  whose  loss  we  have  never 
ceased  to  lament, f  —  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Emerson, 
"  who  was  desirous  of  delivering,  in  some  suitable 
place,  a  course  of  expository  lectures."  It  was  paid 
for  by  a  fund  belonging  to  the  church,  which  had 
been  accumulating,  in  accordance  with  the  advice  of 
Mr.  Ware,  given  in  1824,  "  by  increasing  the  con- 
tribution at  the  Lord's  table,  and  laying  by  a  certain 
proportion  of  it  from  month  to  month."  Greenwood's 
Collection    of    Hymns   was  introduced  in   October, 

1831.  The  house  was  repaired  in  1832,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  about  three  thousand  dollars,  which  was  de- 

*  See  Appendix,  M.  f  George  A.  Sampson. 


40 


frayed  in  part  by  the  sale  of  the  estate  on  the  corner 
of  Richmond-street,  In  the  same  year  the  question 
of  building  a  new  meeting-house  was  agitated,  and 
a  proposal  was  made  by  the  Catholics  to  purchase 
this  house  and  land,  for  which  they  offered  the  sum 
of  nineteen  thousand  dollars. 

After  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Emerson,  the  pastoral 
office  remained  vacant  till  the  ordination  of  the  pres- 
ent incumbent,  on  the  3d  of  December,  1833. 
During  the  last  ten  years,  with  the  exception  of  very 
thorough  repairs  of  the  church,  in  1837,  no  changes 
of  importance  have  taken  place  in  this  edifice. 

The  internal  history  of  the  society  is  of  course 
too  intimately  connected  with  the  character  and 
feelings  of  its  pastor,  to  allow  him  to  speak  of  it  with 
freedom,  and  too  well  known  by  you  all  to  require  a 
minute  survey.  The  connection  has  been  to  me  a 
most  happy  one.  I  have  felt,  every  day,  that  my 
lines  have  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant  places.  I  have 
received,  at  the  hands  of  my  people,  more  considera- 
tion and  forbearance  than  I  had  a  right  to  expect, 
and  more  generosity  and  tokens  of  kindness,  than 
have  fallen  to  the  lot  of  more  deserving  men.  I 
should  be  ungrateful  not  to  love  a  flock  which  has 
been  so  harmonious,  and  so  flourishing,  —  more 
through  its  own  good  feeling  and  good  principle,  than 
through  any  influence  of  mine.  The  Good  Shep- 
herd, however,  is  my  witness,  that  I  have  fed  his 
sheep  and  his  lambs  from  love,  and  that  I  have  sought, 
in  his  own  spirit,  to  lead  them  through  green  pastures 
and  by   the  side   of  still   waters.     We  have   passed 


41 


together  through  changeful  times ;  through  various 
periods  of  great  and  wide-spread  excitement ;  through 
powerful  agitations  of  opinion ;  whilst  within  the 
borders  of  our  own  little  community,  we  have  been 
blessed  with  uninterrupted  peace,  and  hardly  a  single 
momentary  jar  has  invaded  our  sabbath-home.  All 
our  concerns  have  been  managed  with  commendable 
fidelity  and  wisdom  on  the  part  of  those  who  have 
been  entrusted  with  their  charge.  The  number  of 
our  proprietors  and  worshipers  has  increased.  Ac- 
cessions to  the  church  have  been  recently  greatly 
multiplied.  New  manifestations  of  social  feeling 
and  of  spiritual  life  have  strengthened  our  union, 
and  refreshed  our  hearts.  And  now,  through  all  the 
perplexities  and  differences  with  which  the  question 
of  demolishing  this  old  house  of  worship,  and  build- 
ing a  new,  has  been  necessarily  involved,  we  find 
ourselves  sitting  together  for  the  last  time  around 
this  beloved  altar,  with  no  sentiments,  I  hope  and 
believe,  which  are  uncharitable  towards  each  other,  or 
uncongenial  with  the  spirit  of  Peace  and  Love. 

I  cannot  express  the  satisfaction  and  the  gratitude 
I  feel  at  the  condition  of  this  parish,  in  these  last  hours 
of  our  occupancy  of  this  old  temple.  How  sad,  how 
bitterly  reproachful  would  be  our  reflections,  if  we 
were  leaving  it  in  discord  and  confusion  and  weak- 
ness. How  deep  and  stinging  would  be  our  conscious- 
ness of  shame,  if,  after  all  the  pious  multitudes,  whose 
care  has  preserved  it  to  our  hands  and  whose  prayers 
have  consecrated  it  to  our  hearts,  we  were  now  com- 
pelled to  feel   that  the  years  of  our  possession  of  it, 

6 


42 


tin;  last  years  of  its  existence,  bad  been  stained  with 
unwortirj  dissensions  and  disgraced  with  faithlessness 
and  neglect.  Thanks,  thanks  be  to  God  that  we  are 
spared  such  misery  as  that  !  Thanks,  that  we  leave 
it  in  no  worse  spiritual  or  temporal  condition  as  a 
society,  than  when  it  came  into  our  hands  !  thanks, 
that  its  walls  do  not  come  down  because  we  are  a 
dwindling  congregation,  without  heart  or  ability  to 
repair  the  dilapidations  of  time !  Thanks,  that  it 
does  not  crumble  around  us  because  we  are  indiffer- 
ent or  dead !  but  rather  because  we  are  straitened  by 
its  bounds,  and  feel  the  stirrings  of  a  growing  life 
that,  in  the  order  of  Providence,  prompts  us  to  throw- 
off  its  walls,  that  a  more  spacious  and  beautiful 
structure  may  rise  up  in  their  stead. 

Yet  let  there  be  no  boastful  nor  ambitious  feeling 
in  our  hearts.  A  more  consistent  emotion  is  that  of 
wonder  at  the  long-suffering  mercv  of  our  God. 
"My  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  the  Lord.  Xot 
unto  us.  O  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  name 
give  glory  !  "  for  thy  great  compassion  and  forbearance 
towards  us.  For,  how  poor  have  been  our  best  offer- 
ings! how  cold  our  warmest  prayers!  When  we 
consider  how  many  hallowed  hours  we  have  spent  in 
these  courts,  what  voices  have  here  addressed  us, 
what  vows  we  have  made,  we  cannot  certainly  go  out 
for  the  last  time  over  that  threshold  with  any  other 
than  a  lowlv  step,  and  a  contrite  heart.  May  God  in 
hi>  mercy  pardon  all  our  offences  and  the  offences  ol 
our  fathers,  that  have  ever  defiled  this  sacred  place; 
—  all  formal  worship;  all  unbrotherly  sentiments;  all 


43 


comings  before  him  with  mind  polluted  and  heart  un- 
sanctified ;  all  worldly  thoughts  that  have  mingled 
with  our  devotions ;  all  evil  hearts  of  unbelief ;  all 
grievings  of  his  Spirit  ;  all  liftings  up  of  the  soul  un- 
to vanity  ;  all  high  looks  and  proud  hearts  ;  all  mock- 
ings  at  his  mighty  word ;  all  stubborn  impenitence 
and  resistings  of  his  grace  ;  —  for  verily  we  have  not 
always  honored  Him  with  our  sacrifices,  but  have  too 
often  wearied  Him  with  our  iniquities. 

But  I  should  do  injustice,  no  less  to  my  own  feel- 
ings than  to  those  to  whom  this  Society  has  stood 
most  deeply  indebted,  if  I  were  to  finish  this  sketch 
of  our  history,  without  respectful  and  honorable 
allusion  to  those  excellent  men  who,  from  generation 
to  generation,  have  held  up  the  hands  of  the  ministers 
and  stood  as  the  pillars  of  this  church.  Time  would 
fail  me  to  enumerate  them  all,  —  though  every  one  of 
their  names  is  worthy  of  being  registered  in  our  re- 
membrance. At  the  head  of  these  stands  Deacon 
John  Tudor,  —  a  man  of  no  less  sincere  piety  than 
sterling  honor,  prudent  in  affairs  and  systematic  in 
all  his  arrangements.  His  labors  for  the  good  of  the 
society,  during  his  own  day,  were  various  and  indefat- 
igable. Nor  was  he  unmindful  of  the  benefit  of  those 
who  should  come  after  him.  Nearly  all  the  most  val- 
uable records  of  the  church  and  society,  during  the 
eighteenth  century,  were  fully  and  carefully  kept  by 
himself.  If  it  were  not  for  his  careful  and  untiring 
pen,  nearly  the  whole  of  the  ministry  of  Welsteed, 
Gray  and  Pemberton,  would  have  been  to  us  but 
little  better  than  a  blank.     He  was  also  a  pecuniary 


'I.  I 


benefactor  of  the  society,  and  treasurer  for  about 
forty-two  years.  In  the  same  connection  should 
here  be  recorded  the  long  and  valuable  services  of 
Deacon  Samuel  Parkman,  whose  loss  to  this  society 
was  deeply  lamented,  and  whose  many  claims  to  its 
respect  and  gratitude;  received,  at  his  withdrawal, 
heartfelt  and  substantial  testimonials.* 

I  would  gladly  prolong  the  catalogue,  even  to  our 
own  day.  I  would  gladly  marshal  before  you  the 
whole  procession  of  the  staunch  friends  and  support- 
ers of  this  house,  from  its  erection  to  its  fall.  There 
is  not  one  of  them  whose  memory  I  do  not  bless. 
There  is  not  one  who  has  done  it  good  or  prayed  for 
its  peace,  whom  I  do  not  thank  and  love.  And,  es- 
pecially do  I,  on  this  day,  recall  with  renewed  affec- 
tion and  gratitude  the  images  of  every  one  who,  since 
the  beginning  of  my  own  humble  ministry,  has  lent 
his  aid  to  the  furtherance  of  God's  holy  work,  or  con- 
tributed to  the  honor  and  strength  of  this  beloved 
congregation.  The  dead  live  in  my  remembrance, 
and  the  living  shall  never  die  from  it.  I  feel  their 
value  now.  I  feel  it  every  day.  May  God  multiply 
to  our  society  and  our  church  the  number  of  such 
wise  and  faithful  men,  —  men  who  will  stand  bv  the 
altar  and  lend  their  shoulders  to  the  ark,  —  men  who 
will  love  the  very  gates  and  walls  of  our  Zion,  for  the 
sake  of  God  and  Christ,  to  whom  our  temples  are 
consecrated,  and  for  the  precious  interests  of  man's 
immortal  nature  and  social  well-being,  of  which  they 

See  Appendix,  X. 


45 


are  the  watch-towers,  the  nurseries,  and  the  garrisons 
from  age  to  age. 

And  now,  my  friends,  before  this  ancient  land- 
mark is  removed  out  of  its  place,  let  us  contemplate 
the  lessons  which  it  is  calculated  to  impress  upon  the 
thoughtful  mind.  What  changes  have  taken  place 
around  it,  since  it  first  occupied  this  spot !  what  revo- 
lutions in  this  country  and  in  the  world !  what  muta- 
tions of  opinion,  of  government  and  of  social  life ! 
what  transformations  on  the  face  of  the  earth  !  what 
convulsions  of  empires  !  But  the  institutions  and 
ordinances  of  the  Gospel  still  abide  unshaken,  —  often 
attacked  but  ever  unharmed  ;  in  one  period  appar- 
ently sinking  into  neglect ;  at  another,  renewing 
their  hold  upon  the  reverence  and  affections  of  men  ; 
always  striking  their  roots  deeper  into  the  heart  of 
humanity,  and  spreading  them  wider  beneath  the 
foundations  of  society,  from  the  agitations  which 
heave,  and  the  convulsions  that  overthrow  the  things 
that  can  be  shaken ;  and  always  rising  serene  and 
majestic  from  the  mists  which  obscure,  and  the  floods 
which  threaten  to  overwhelm  them.  Confidence, 
calm,  entire  confidence  in  their  perpetuity  is  a  lesson 
which  1  read  as  if  it  were  inscribed  in  characters  of 
light  upon  this  hoary  pile. 

Even  within  our  own  day,  we  have  seen  the 
popular  tendency  apparently  setting  strongly  away 
from  the  institutions  which  our  fathers'  loved.  But 
we  are  also  seeing  the  tide  of  opinion  in  our  churches 
flowing  back  again  with  a  fuller  swell.     It  is  a  cause 


46 


of  heartfelt  satisfaction  that  no  page  in  the  records  of 
this  church,  affords  such  numerous  evidences  of  de- 
voted attachment  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel  as 
the  very  last,  and  that  similar  indications  are  mani- 
fested in  nearly  all  our  churches.  I  believe  it  admits 
of  demonstration,  that  at  no  period  since  the  founda- 
tion of  this  house  was  laid,  has  the  Sabbath  been 
more  generally  and  properly  honored  ;  houses  of  wor- 
ship more  largely  frequented  ;  the  Lord's  supper  more 
fully  attended,  and  the  interests  of  true  religion  in  a 
more  promising  condition  in  New-England,  than  at 
the  present  hour.  And  why  ?  but  in  part  for  the  at- 
tacks which  the  institutions  of  Christianity  have,  in 
recent  times,  sustained  ?  Why  ?  but  because  the  very 
progress  of  intellectual  light,  whilst  it  has  dispersed 
much  of  the  superstition  with  which  they  have  been 
surrounded,  has  displayed  more  clearly  to  the  illumi- 
nated mind  their  intrinsic  advantages  and  claims  ? 
Why  ?  but  for  the  very  reasons  which,  a  few  years  ago 
awakened  our  apprehensions, —  the  onset  of  Rational- 
ism, and  the  mistaken  opposition  of  partial  reform- 
ers ?  We  have  made  trial  of  what  philosophy  and 
Rationalism  can  do  for  our  spiritual  edification,  and 
wre  have  seen  and  felt  the  end  of  their  perfection. 
We  have  proved  the  word  and  the  power  of  those 
who  would  have  persuaded  us  that  the  world  has  out- 
grown the  holy  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  and  would 
have  given  us  in  their  stead  a  religion  altogether 
spiritual  and  imaginary,  —  disconnected  from  the  pil- 
lars and  the  corner-stone  of  the  visible  church,  which 
God,  through  his  Son,  has  set  up,  for  the  landmarks 


47 


and  bulwarks,  and  centre  of  union  of  the  faithful  to 
the  end  of  time.  But  the  voices  of  these  charmers, 
charm  they  never  so  wisely,  though  they  have  be- 
guiled many  for  a  season,  have  not  had  the  authori- 
tative and  divine  tone  of  him  who  spake  as  never 
man  spake,  nor  can  speak.  The  porter  of  the  heart 
openeth  not  the  door  of  its  inner  sanctuary  save  to 
the  true  Shepherd.  His  sheep  hear  his  voice,  and 
follow  him  ;  but  a  stranger  will  they  not  follow,  for 
they  know  not  the  voice  of  strangers.  And  though 
for  a  time,  they  may  wander  away  from  the  fold  of 
safety,  after  one  calling  sweetly  from  the  tops  of  some 
cloud-covered  mountain,  or  another  piping  musical- 
ly in  the  enchanted  fields  of  unrestraint,  yet,  having 
wandered  up  and  down,  and  near  and  far,  seeking 
rest  and  finding  none, —  by  and  by,  they  will  hear  the 
voice  of  their  forsaken  Saviour,  floating  through  the 
shades  of  night  that  are  gathering  thickly  around 
them,  as  he  calls  his  wanderers  home,  with  that  well- 
known  cry  of  resistless  tenderness,  "  Come  unto  me 
all  ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest," —  and  their  tired  feet  will  turn  back  to  the 
pale  of  peace,  to  go  astray  no  more.  And  so  it  will 
be  through  the  ages  that  are  to  come.  Ever  hath 
the  seeking  sparrow  found  a  house,  and  ever  will 
the  wandering  swallow  find  a  nest  for  herself,  where 
she  may  lay  her  young,  even  thine  altars,  O  Lord 
of  Hosts,  my  King  and  my  God  ! 

Another  lesson  is  imprinted  upon  my  soul  with  the 
image  of  this  venerable  structure,  a  lesson  of  hope 
for  the  generations  that  are  to  come,  —  glad  hope  for 


48 

the  unfolding  destiny  of  mankind.  For,  what  pro- 
gress has  society  made;  since  the  corner-stone  of  this 
edifice  was  laid!  That  "more  light,"  of  which  the 
sainted  Robinson  prophesied,  as  he  turned  his  calm 
and  pure  eye  towards  the  glorious  visions  of  the  spir- 
itual morning,  which  God  showed  him  to  be  about  to 
break  across  the  dark  waters  of  the  Western  ocean, 
has  already  broken  upon  these  latter  days.  If  one  of 
those  ancient  men  of  God  who  watched  the  rising  of 
these  walls,  were  to  come  back  and  mingle  with  our- 
selves who  arc  about  to  take  them  down,  what  aston- 
ishment would  strike  him  dumb  ;  what  gratitude,  too 
strong  for  utterance,  would  swell  in  his  heart !  The 
battle  of  political  and  religious  freedom,  which  he 
anticipated  would  by  and  by  come  on,  and  to  which  he 
looked  forward  with  such  anxious  expectations,  has 
already  hopefully  commenced.  The  seeds  of  reforms 
which  he  planted,  have  sprung  up.  The  prayers 
which  he  breathed  for  the  generations  to  come,  the 
things  which  he  waited  for,  but  never  found,  are  has- 
tening to  their  fulfilment  in  our  day,  and  beginning 
to  be  revealed  to  our  babes.  And  we  and  our  child- 
ren, if  we  are  but  faithful  to  the  mighty  trust  of  the 
most  glorious  present  which  the  world  has  yet  seen, 
may  turn  our  faces  forward  with  a  still  more  hopeful 
gaze,  and  expect,  that  ere  the  new  temple  which  we 
are  about  to  rear  shall  crumble  with  age,  or  be  ex- 
changed for  a  more  spacious  and  beautiful  house,  its 
turrets  shall  be  gilded  by  a  yet  more  glorious  light, 
and  its  worshipers  rejoice  in  a  yet  more  perfect  man- 
ifestation of  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  on  earth. 


49 


And  now,  my  friends,  the  time  has  come  for  us  to 
take  our  last  farewell  of  this  beloved  house.  It  is 
hard  to  realize  that  we  shall  never  meet  in  it  again, 
—  that  the  delightful  and  hallowed  hours  we  have 
spent  under  its  roof  are  ended,  and  shall  never  be  re- 
newed. It  is  painful  to  think  that  when  another 
Sabbath  dawns  upon  the  earth,  our  eyes  shall  seek 
in  vain  for  its  glittering  spire,  and  our  steps  turn 
slowly  and  sadly  to  some  other  temple.  But  we 
have  not  parted  from  it  without  long  consideration. 
We  do  not  leave  it  without  a  pious  regret. 

Farewell,  then,  a  long,  a  fond,  an  eternal  farewell 
to  its  sacred  walls.  Farewell  house  of  our  fathers, 
and  of  our  fathers'  God  !  Lovely,  and  dear,  and 
venerable,  has  been  thy  hoary  image  to  our  eyes,  nor 
shall  it  ever  be  effaced  from  our  memories.  Thy 
sacred  uses  are  ended.  Thy  work  of  piety  is  done. 
The  last  echoes  of  our  prayers  are  lingering  amidst 
thy  arches.  The  last  incense  of  our  worship  is 
ascending  around  thy'altar.  Sink,  then,  to  the  dust ! 
Fade  forever  from  our  sight!  Fall,  crumble  and  pass 
away  !  The  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  remaineth. 
The  spiritual  house  that  we  have  builded  to  God  in 
our  hearts  abides  unshaken.  The  sentiments  that 
have  consecrated  thy  courts,  shall  flourish  when  the 
earth  and  the  Heavens  are  no  more. 

And  yet,  thanks  be  to  God,  not  all  that  belongs  to 
this  house  is  destined  to  pass  away.  The  sacred 
vessels  that  have  contained  the  emblems  of  our 
Saviour's  love,  and  which  have  so  often  been  spread 
before  us  here,  will  go  with  us,  and  attend  us,  and 

7 


50 


welcome  us  again,  by  the  grace  of  God,  before  an- 
other altar,  and  under  the  shadows  of  other  walls. 
By  this  beautiful  bond  of  union  our  two  Sabbath 
homes  will  be  connected  together,  —  the  home  of  our 
remembrance  be  linked  to  the  home  of  our  hope. 
Let  this,  then,  my  beloved  Flock,  be  emblematical 
of  the  strength  of  our  fellowship,  and  the  spirit  of 
our  union  and  intercourse,  till  by  the  blessing  of 
Heaven  we  meet  at  length,  with  new  songs  of  grati- 
tude, and  new  purposes  of  piety,  to  consecrate  the 
house  that  we  are  about  to  build  to  the  God  of  Holi- 
ness and  of  Love. 


APPENDIX. 


Note  A.     Pajje  8 


B' 


I  have  consulted,  in  relation  to  this  controversy,  the  records  of  the 
New  North  Church,  several  pamphlets  in  the  library  of  the  Boston 
Athenaeum,  Mr.  Ware's  "  Century  Sermon,"  and  "  Historical  Notices 
of  the  New  North  Religious  Society."  The  aggrieved  party  first  pub- 
lished "  An  Account  of  the  Reasons  why  they  could  not  consent  to  Mr. 
Peter  Thacher's  Ordination."  A  reply  soon  followed,  entitled  "  Vindi- 
cation of  the  New  North  Church  from  several  Falsehoods,  &c,  by  sev- 
eral of  the  Members  of  that  Church."  Increase  Mather  published  "  A 
Testimony  to  the  good  Order  of  the  Churches,"  in  which  he  censured 
the  proceedings  of  the  New  North  Church,  as  contrary  to  congrega- 
tional principles  and  precedents.  To  this  Messrs.  Webb  and  Thacher 
replied,  in  a  small  pamphlet  containing  "  A  Brief  Declaration  in  behalf 
of  Themselves  and  their  Church,"  &c. 

It  appears  that  it  was  reported  that  "  a  minister  of  the  town  "  was 
concerned  in  getting  up  the  first  pamphlet  mentioned  above  ;  or,  at  least, 
that  he  "  overlooked  and  corrected  the  press-work  whilst  it  was  print- 
ing." The  minister  alluded  to  was  Cotton  Mather.  The  authors  of 
the  "  Account,"  &c,  have  appended  an  advertisement  to  their  pam- 
phlet, declaring  that  "  the  report  is  utterly  false,"  and  affirming  that 
"  no  minister  in  this  town,  nor  in  the  whole  world,  ever  saw  or  corrected 
one  word  of  the  whole." 

I  have  quoted  the  answer  of  the  dissentients  to  one  of  the  reasons 
brought  forward  by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Thacher,  in  justification  of  his 
removal  from  his  parish  at  Weymouth.  Their  objections  to  other  rea- 
sons are  worth  reading  :  — 

"  It  is  said,  that  others  have  done  so  before  him.  To  this  we  answer 
thus  :  If  they  have,  they  have  had  better  reasons  to  give,  than  have 


52 


I..  •  ii  given  in  this  case;  and  though  they  have,  yet  the  hurt  and  evil 
thai  has  been  done  thereby,  has  outweighed,  or  at  least  balanced  the 
good. 

"  It  is  said,  he  was  unahle  to  perform  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
Weymouth  ;  particularly,  visiting  his  parishioners.  To  this  we  answer 
thus  :  he  did  not  serve  an  Egyptian  task-master,  that  required  the  full 
tale  of  brick,  without  the  least  straw  afforded.  God  does  not  desire, 
nor  require  his  ministers  to  do  a  work  when  they  have  no  strength 
afforded  them  to  do  it ;  if  Mr.  Thacher  did  according  to  his  ability,  he 
would  never  he  faulted  for  not  doing  that  which  he  had  no  strength, 
power  or  ability  to  do. 

"  It  is  said,  that  Mr.  Thacher  complained  of  the  little  good  he  did  by 
his  preaching  there,  that  there  were  no  seals  of  his  ministry  ;  and  hence 
his  discouragement  arose.  To  this  we  answer  thus:  1.  If  he  was 
faithful  in  his  work,  he  need  not  doubt  of  a  glorious  reward  hereafter, 
though  he  was  very  unsuccessful  in  it.  So  the  prophet  comforted  him- 
self. Isaiah,  xlix.  1  :  '  Then  I  said,  I  have  labored  in  vain,  I  have 
spent  my  strength  for  nought,  and  in  vain;  yet  surely  my  judgment  is 
with  the  Lord,  and  my  work  with  my  God.'  And  in  verse  5  :  '  Though 
Israel  be  not  gathered,  yet  shall  I  be  glorious  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord, 
and  my  God  shall  be  my  strength.'  2.  God  must  be  waited  on,  and 
not  prescribed  to  ;  the  Spirit  worketh  as  it  pleaseth  ;  the  wind  bloweth 
where  it  listeth,  and  we  hear  the  sound  thereof,  but  cannot  tell  whence 
it  cometh,  or  whither  it  goeth  ;  so  is  every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit. 
Though  a  minister  toils  all  night,  and  taketh  nothing,  yet  for  aught  he 
knows,  in  a  little  time,  he  may  have  many  for  his  joy  and  crown  of  re- 
joicing in  the  day  of  the  Lord. 

"  It  is  said,  that  Mr.  Thacher  came  to  Boston  for  the  delight  and  ben- 
efit of  conversation.  To  this  we  answer  thus  :  If  he  be  so  bright  a 
man,  as  he  is  said  to  be,  then  the  need  of  conversation  to  brighten  him 
is  so  much  the  less,  and  more  inconsiderable.  Notwithstanding  this 
reason  for  his  removal,  yet  he  ought  not  to  have  left  that  church,  over 
which  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made  him  overseer,  for  his  own  delight  and 
benefit ;  he  ought  to  remain  unto  the  end  in  that  town,  which  God  in  his 
Providence  had  fixed  him  in." 

Mr.  Ware's  opinion  seems  to  me  perfectly  correct,  viz  :  "  that  the 
New  North  people  wrote  with  most  moderation,  though  they  were 
clearly  in  the  wrong  ;  while  the  advocates  of  the  New  Brick,  though 
on  the  right  side,  lost  all  command  of  their  temper." 

The  result  of  Mr.  Thacher's  connection  with  the  New  North  was  cer- 
tainly in  the  end  favorable  to  the  interests  of  that  church,  and  justified 
the  good  opinion,  formed  by  those  who  supported  him,  of  his  fitness  for 
that  place. 

Note  B.     Page  18. 

The  old  clock,  after  various  fortunes,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  auc- 
tioneer, in  January,  1839.     The  following  appropriate  speech  was  writ- 


53 


ten  for  the  occasion  of  the  sale,  by  some  lover  of  ancient  relics.  It  was 
said  to  have  been  read  by  the  auctioneer,  but  for  the  truth  of  this  state- 
ment I  cannot  vouch. 

"  Here  is  the  relic  of  the  early  days  of  our  country's  annals,  a  rem- 
nant saved  ;  antique  of  its  kind,  and  venerable  for  every  association  con- 
nected with  its  history  ;  —  the  old  church  clock,  bearing  a  mark  of  pa- 
triarchal longevity  in  the  date,  that  speaks  it  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
years  of  age.  Yet,  while  it  has  ticked  and  struck  oft*  the  thousand  and 
tens  of  thousands,  who  have  looked  on  its  calm  face,  into  eternity,  it  is 
still  in  good  time,  and  going  !  going  !  !  going  !  !  ! 

"  Though  its  existence  was  begun  in  the  land  of  Kings,  moved  by 
the  spirit  of  our  pious  fathers  it  followed  them  to  the  land  of  pilgrims, 
and  was  consecrated  to  serve  in  the  house  of  God,  whom  they  came 
hither  to  worship  as  the  children  of  his  kingdom,  and  not  as  spiritual 
slaves  to  earthly  despotism. 

"  This  sober,  ever-going  clock  came  over  in  the  days  of  caution  and 
sanity.  It  came  when  a  sea  voyage  was  a  serious  thing,  and  religion  a 
serious  thing,  and  a  church  clock  a  serious  thing.  It  counted  the  rao- 
.ments,  while  the  minister  of  God  was  preaching,  and  his  hearers  listen- 
ing, of  Eternity.  It  echoed  his  text,  '  Take  heed  how  ye  hear.'  Then 
was  there  real  clock-work  and  order  in  men's  minds  and  principles. 
Vanity  did  not  then  stare  this  venerable  monitor  in  the  face,  and  study 
the  while  how  to  display  its  plumage.  Avarice  did  not  dare,  under  its 
measured  '  click,'  to  be  planning  in  the  temple  how  to  lay  up  goods  for 
many  years.  Nor  was  pride  then  puffed  up  by  the  breath  of  its  own 
nostrils,  while  this  minute  hand  was  showing  its  duration  cut  shorter  at 
the  beat  of  every  pulse. 

"  Now,  who  will  let  this  venerable  memento  of  those  days  be  dese- 
crated ?  Who  will  not  wish  to  possess  himself  of  it,  as  a  relic  of  the 
age  of  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity'? 

"  Look  at  its  aged  but  unwrinkled  face.  It  is  calm  ;  for  it  has  not  to 
answer  for  the  sermons  it  has  heard.  Look  at  it,  ye  degenerate  sons  of 
New-England  !  Do  ye  not  seem  to  see  the  shade  go  back  on  the  dial 
plate  to  the  days  of  your  fathers,  and  to  hear  the  voices  of  those  aged 
servants  of  God,  who  went  from  their  preaching  to  their  reward? 

"  I  would  speak  more,  but  the  hour  is  come.  To  whom  shall  it  be 
sold?" 


Note  C.     Page  22. 


o 


The  names  of  the  twenty-four  persons  who  first  associated  for  the 
building  of  the  New  Brick,  and  purchased  the  land,  were  the  follow- 
ing : —  Alexander  Sears,  Solomon  Townsend,  John  Waldo,  Owen 
Harris,  James  Tileston,  Nathaniel  Jarvis,  Thomas  Lee,  Jonathan 
Mountfort,  William  Arnold,  Benjamin  Edwards,  Peter  Papillon,  Thom- 
as Dagget,  Daniel  Ballard,   Robert  Gutridge,   Robert  Oring,   Edward 


54 


Pell,  Samuel  Burnell,  Francis  Parnall,  Thaddeus  Macarty,  James 
Barnes,  James  Pecker,  James  Ilalsey,  Ebenezer  Bridge,  Ephraim 
More. 

The  building-  committee  consisted  of  John  Frisel,  Thomas  Lee,  Jona- 
than Mountfort,  Alexander  Sears,  James  Tileston,  James  Pecker  and 
Edward  Pell. 

The  following  persons  gathered  into  a  church-state,  viz  :  Alexander 
Sears,  Solomon  Townsend,  William  Lee,  Nathaniel  Loring,  Moses 
Pierce,  Daniel  Pecker,  Josiah  Baker,  Henry  Wheeler,  John  Waldo, 
James  Tileston. 

"  July  19,  1722.  It  was  agreed  upon  and  voted,  that  the  sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  Supper  should  be  administered  in  the  revolution  of  every 
fourth  Sabbath  from  August  12,  1722." 

The  services  at  the  ordination  of  Waldron  were  as  follows,  viz :  Mr. 
Sewall  offered  the  introductory  prayer ;  Cotton  Mather  preached  from 
1  John,  iv.  7  ;  Increase  Mather  gave  the  charge  ;  Mr.  Wadsworth  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  ;  and  Mr.  Waldron  closed  with  prayer. 

William  Waldron  was  a  descendant  from  the  family  of  Cutts,  from 
which  have  sprung  many  distinguished  persons,  and  the  members  of 
which  have  intermarried  with  some  of  the  best  families  in  New-England. 
His  father,  Col.  Richard  Waldron,  was  first  married  to  a  daughter  of 
John  Cutts,  President  of  New-Hampshire.  His  mother  was  Elinor 
Vaughan,  also  a  descendant  from  the  family  of  Cutts.  His  brother 
Richard  was  Secretary  of  New-Hampshire.  His  sister  Abigail  married 
Col.  Saltonstall  of  Haverhill,  Mass.  His  only  daughter  became  the 
■wife  of  Col.  Josiah  Quincy,  of  Braintree,  Mass.  The  Lowells  of  Bos- 
ton are  also  descendants  of  the  family  of  Cutts. 

The  following  is  the  story  of  the  Indian  massacre  to  which  allusion 
was  made  in  the  discourse  : 

"  In  that  part  of  the  town  of  Dover,  which  lies  about  the  first  falls  in 
the  river  Cocheco,  were  five  garrisoned  houses  ;  three  on  the  north  side, 
viz  :  Waldron's,  Otis's  and  Heard's ;  and  two  on  the  south  side,  viz  : 
Peter  Coffin's  and  his  son's.  These  houses  were  surrounded  with  tim- 
ber-walls, the  gates  of  which,  as  well  as  the  house  doors,  were  secured 
with  bolts  and  bars.  The  neighboring  families  retired  to  these  houses 
by  night ;  but  by  an  unaccountable  negligence,  no  watch  was  kept. 
The  Indians,  who  were  daily  passing  through  the  town,  visiting  and 
trading  with  the  inhabitants,  as  usual  in  time  of  peace,  viewed  their  sit- 
uation with  an  attentive  eye.  Some  hints  of  a  mischievous  design  had 
been  given  ont  by  their  squaws  ;  but  in  such  dark  and  ambiguous  terms, 
thai  no  one  could  comprehend  their  meaning.  Some  of  the  people  were 
uneasy  ;  but  Waldron,  who,  from  a  long  course  of  experience,  was  in- 
timately acquainted  with  the  Indians,  and  on  other  occasions  had  been 
ready  enough  to  suspect  them,  was  now  so  thoroughly  secure,  that  when 


55 


some  of  the  people  hinted  their  fears  to  him,  he  merrily  bade  them  to  go 
and  plant  their  pumpkins,  saying  that  he  would  tell  them  when  the  In- 
dians would  break  out.  The  very  evening  before  the  mischief  was 
done,  being  told  by  a  young  man  that  the  town  was  full  of  Indians  and 
the  people  were  much  concerned  ;  he  answered  that  he  knew  the  In- 
dians very  well  and  there  was  no  danger. 

"  The  plan  which  the  Indians  had  preconcerted  was,  that  two  squaws 
should  go  to  each  of  the  garrisoned  houses  in  the  evening,  and  ask  leave 
to  lodge  by  the  fire  ;  that  in  the  night  when  the  people  were  asleep,  they 
should  open  the  doors  and  gates,  and  give  the  signal  by  a  whistle  ;  upon 
which,  the  strange  Indians,  who  were  to  be  within  hearing,  should  rush 
in,  and  take  their  long-meditated  revenge.  This  plan  being  ripe  for 
execution,  on  the  evening  of  Thursday,  June  27th,  two  squaws  applied 
to  each  of  the  garrisons  for  lodging,  as  they  frequently  did  in  time  of 
peace.  They  were  admitted  into  all  but  the  younger  Coffin's,  and  the 
people,  at  their  request,  showed  them  how  to  open  the  doors,  in  case 
they  should  have  occasion  to  go  out  in  the  night.  Mesandowit,  one  of 
their  chiefs,  went  to  Waldron's  garrison,  and  was  kindly  entertained, 
as  he  had  often  been  before.  The  squaws  told  the  major,  that  a  number 
of  Indians  were  coming  to  trade  with  him  the  next  day,  and  Mesandowit 
while  at  supper,  with  his  usual  familiarity,  said,  '  Brother  Waldron, 
what  would  you  do  if  the  strange  Indians  should  come?'  The  major 
carelessly  answered,  that  he  could  assemble  an  hundred  men,  by  lifting 
up  his  finger.  In  this  unsuspecting  confidence,  the  family  retired  to 
rest. 

"  When  all  was  quiet,  the  gates  were  opened,  and  the  signal  was 
given.  The  Indians  entered,  set  a  guard  at  the  door,  and  rushed  into 
the  major's  apartment,  which  was  an  inner  room.  Awakened  by  the 
noise,  he  jumped  out  of  bed,  and  though  now  advanced  in  life  to  the 
age  of  eighty  years,  he  retained  so  much  vigor  as  to  drive  them  with 
his  sword,  through  two  or  three  doors  ;  but  as  he  was  returning  for  his 
other  arms,  they  came  behind  him,  stunned  him  with  a  hatchet,  drew 
him  into  his  hall,  and  seating  him  in  an  elbow  chair,  on  a  long  table,  in- 
sultingly asked  him,  'who  shall  judge  Indians  now?'  They  then 
obliged  the  people  in  the  house  to  get  them  some  victuals  ;  and  when 
they  had  done  eating,  they  cut  the  major  across  the  breast  and  belly 
with  knives,  each  one  with  a  stroke,  saying,  '  I  cross  out  my  account.' 
They  then  cut  off  his  nose  and  ears,  forcing  them  into  his  mouth  ;  and 
when  spent  with  the  loss  of  blood,  he  was  falling  down  from  the  table, 
one  of  them  held  his  own  sword  under  him,  which  put  an  end  to  his 
misery.  They  also  killed  his  son-in-law,  Abraham  Lee  ;  but  took  his 
daughter  Lee  with  several  others,  and  having  pillaged  the  house,  left  it 
on  fire.  Otis's  garrison,  which  was  next  to  the  major's,  met  with  the 
some  fate ;  he  was  killed,  with  several  others,  and  his  wife  and  child 
were  captivated.  Heard's  was  saved  by  the  barking  of  a  dog  just  as 
the  Indians  were  entering ;  Elder  "VVentworth,  who  was  awakened  by 
the  noise,  pushed  them  out,  and  falling  on  his  back,  set  his  feet  against 
the  gate,  and  held  it  till  he  had  alarmed  the  people  ;  two  balls  were 
fired  through  it,  but  both  missed  him.  Coffin's  house  was  surprised, 
but  as  the  Indians  had  no  particular  enmity  to  him,  they  spared  his  life, 
and  the  lives  of  his  family,  and  contented  themselves  with  pillaging  the 
house.     Finding  a  bag  of  money,  they  made  him  throw  it  by  handfuls 


56 


on  the  floor,  whilst  they  amused  themselves  in  scrambling  for  ii.  They 
then  went  to  the  house  of  his  son,  who  would  not  admit  the  squaws  in 
the  evening,  and  summoned  him  to  surrender,  promising  him  quarter. 
He  declined  their  offer,  and  determined  to  defend  his  house,  till  they 
brought  out  his  father,  and  threatened  10  kill  him  before  his  eyes.    Filial 

fection  then  overcame  his  resolution,  and  he  surrendered.  They  put 
tx  th  families  together  into  a  deserted  house,  intending  to  reserve  them 
for  prisoners ;  hut  whilst  the  Indians  were  busy  in  plundering,  they  all 
ped. 

••  Twenty-three  people  were  killed  in  this  surprisal,  and  twenty-nine 
were  captivated  ;  live  or  six  houses,  with  the  mills,  were  burned  ;  and 
e  expeditious  were  the  Indians  in  the  execution  ol*  their  plot,  that  be- 
fore the  people  could  be  collected  from  the  other  parts  of  the  town  to 
oppose  them,  they  tied  with  their  prisoners  and  booty." 


"  August  23.  172.").  Voted,  that  Mr.  Waldron  be  supplied  with  con- 
stant help  for  six  months  next  ensuing  from  this  day." 

"  February  28,  172G.  Voted,  that  Mr.  Waldron  be  supplied  with 
help  until  the  annual  meeting  in  July  next." 

"  February  6,  1727.  Voted,  that  Mr.  Waldron  be  paid  out  of  the 
treasury  thirty  shillings  per  week  besides  his  stated  salary,  until  the 
annual  meeting  in  Julv  next." 


- 


Such  votes  were  often  passed  u  whilst  there  was  but  one  minister, 
it  being  thought  that  the  strength  of  one  was  inadequate  to  the  whole 
duty." 

"  September  4.  17-27.  The  afternoon  was  spent  in  prayer  for  our  sick 
pastor,  that  God  would  graciously  please  to  recover  him.  or  fit  him  for 
his  holy  will.  That  he  would  also  prepare  this  people  for  a  resignation 
to  the  will  of  our  Almighty  Saviour,  and  that  we  may  be  kept  in  the 
bonds  of  unity  and  peace." 

Mr.  Waldron's  salary  was  continued  to  his  widow  for  four  months 
and  a  half  after  his  decease. 


Note  D.     Page  22. 

Mr.  Welstced's  ordination  took  place  on  the  27th  of  March,  1728. 
••  Mr.  S,  wall  and  Mr.  Cooper  prayed  before  and  after  the  sermon. 
Mr.  Welsteed  preached.  Mr.  Walter  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship, and  Dr.  Colman  the  charge." 

Mr.  \\  elsteed  married  a  sister  of  Governor  Hutchinson. 

"  November  18,  1728.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Welsteed  being  about  marry- 
ing, and  as  there  will  arise  the  charge  of  house  and   lire-wood  thereby. 


57 


voted,  that  there  be  allowed  him  seventy  pounds  a  year  out  of  the 
stock." 

"February  11,  1733.  Voted,  to  add  four  persons  to  the  Standing 
Committee,  viz:  the  Rev.  William  Welsteed,"  &c. 

"  June  25,  1733.  The  church  met  at  the  pastor's  house,  and  voted, 
that  on  Tuesday,  the  10th  of  July  next,  we  would  separate  a  few  hours 
for  religious  exercises,  particularly  to  humble  ourselves  under  the  frowns 
of  heaven,  in  the  lamentable  and  sensible  withdrawal  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  from  us,  in  that  so  few  are  inquiring  their  way  to  Zion  with  their 
faces  thitherward. ' ' 


The  letters  of  Waldron  are  some  of  them  interesting.  I  have  thought 
it  not  out  of  place  to  insert  here  a  few  extracts  from  some  of  them, 
relating  to  the  circumstances  and  men  of  his  times. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    PROFESSOR    WIGGLESWORTH. 

"  And  this  leads  me  to  Mr.  Wigglesworth,  whom  your  preposterous 
managements  have  obliged  me  to  mention  after  Mr.  Welsteed.  I  must 
needs  say  I  can't  in  justice  imagine  that  this  good  gentleman  is  second 
to  any.  He  is  certainly  a  first  rate,  if  not  the  first  rate.  His  body  is 
the  less  acceptable  part  of  him,  and  that  is  in  no  wise  to  be  despised. 
As  for  his  intellectual  powers,  his  being  chosen  into  the  professorship 
by  some  of  our  wisest  and  best  men,  must  speak  him  superlative.  As 
for  his  public  preaching,  you  would  guess  him  almost  to  be  under  an 
inspiration  in  it.  His  delivery  is  with  great  deliberation  and  distinct- 
ness. He  has  a  small,  still  voice,  not  loud  but  audible.  As  for  the 
impediment  you  mention,  it  is  only  a  graceful  lisp  that  does  not  at  all 
affect  his  speech  to  make  him  unintelligible.  When  I  have  heard  him 
preach  I  never  observed  but  that  every  syllable  was  clearly  articulated. 
And  as  for  his  never  being  a  candidate  for  the  gospel  ministry,  it  is  a 
mistake.  He  always  was  so,  ever  since  he  preached,  and  is  so  now. 
He  has  been  in  nomination  (though  I  don't  so  wrell  approve  the  method) 
more  than  once,  and  the  reason  why  he  has  been  neglected,  is  owing 
only  to  the  ignorance  and  unskilfulness  of  the  rabble,  which  make  the 
majority.  They  disgust  everything  but  noise  and  nonsense,  and  can't 
be  content  to  sit  quiet  unless  their  auditory  nerves  are  drummed  upon 
with  a  voice  like  thunder.  His  meeting  with  no  acceptance  is  a  great 
reproach  upon  the  understandings  of  the  multitude.  I  guess  he  would 
hardly  be  prevailed  to  leave  his  business  here  only  to  make  a  fruitless 
journey,  for  I  don't  think  he  has  any  thing  in  prospect  —  I  mean  a  set- 
tlement—  any  further.  The  learned  this  way  would  be  loth  to  part 
with  him.  He  is  treated  with  great  respect  this  way,  and  should  he 
come  to  Portsmouth,  your  clergy,  though  his  seniors,  must  stoop  to  him. 
As  for  his  deafness  I  look  on  it  as  a  good  ministerial  qualification.  Mr. 
Prince  is  an  excellent  preacher,  a  fine  scholar,  has  but  an  uncouth 
delivery.  He  is  rawr  and  uncultivated,  not  much  of  a  gentleman.  I 
should,  for  my  part,  pretty  much  suspect  his  conduct  among  you.  I 
asked  the  professor  whether,  if  he  should  be  asked  to  preach  anywhere 
for  a  small  term,  he  would  leave  his  business,  and  mentioned  Piscataqua 
to  him.     He  replied  that  he  should  consult  the  president  in  such  an 

8 


58 


aflair.  Bui  be  added,  '  1  believe  it  will  he  best  for  them  to  hear  only 
(•lit/  He  is  a  very  prudent  man,  and  1  am  confident  that  if  he  had 
been  sent  to  after  the  same  manner  that  Mr.  Welsteed  has,  he  would 
not  have  come  ;  and  yet  he  is  an  humble,  meek,  modest  man." 

####### 

"The  other  day  I  was  in  at  Mr.  Colman's  ;  Mr.  Cooper  was  there 
too.  After  other  talk,  we  fell  upon  Piscataqua;  they  asked  how  mat- 
ters stood  there.  I  told  them  I  heard  that  there  were  some  of  you  in- 
clined to  hear  the  professor;  and,  said  they,  then  they'll  have  him  if 
they  are  a  people  of  any  taste  and  relish,  which  thcv  determined  that 
\n\i  were  ;  and  I  must  needs  say  that  it  is  now  a  critical  juncture,  and 
the  professor's  office  seems  to  be  so  clogged  and  cumbered,  that  a  good 
settlement  would,  I  believe,  draw  him  from  his  professorship.  His 
salary  is  but  eighty  pounds ;  though  Mr.  Column,  who  is  one  of  the 
corporation,  says,  his  endeavors  shan't  be  wanting,  to  advance  it  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty  pounds  per  annum.  The  professor  is  not  one  of 
the  corporation,  which  seems  necessary  not  only  to  dignify  his  office, 
but  also  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  it.  He  has  been 
chosen  into  the  corporation,  but  disaccepted  by  the  overseers,  for  no 
other  reason,  that  1  know  of,  but  in  contradiction  to  them  that  elected 
him — for  you  know  that  there  is  no  harmony  between  the  overseers 
and  corporation.  He  is  on  all  hands  allowed  to  be  a  meek  person,  and 
1  apprehend  that  in  a  short  time  that  matter  will  be  reconsidered,  and 
he  allowed  and  confirmed  ;  when,  if  an  advanced  salary  follows,  I  fancy 
he  will  be  seated  and  fixed.  No  such  suitable  person  as  he  can  be  found 
for  that  business." 


MEETING    OF    THE    OVERSEERS    OF    THE    COLLEGE. 

"  Last  Wednesday,  (dated  October  14,  1723,)  the  Overseers  paid  a 
visit  to  that  venerable  lady,  our  Alma  Mater.  Their  business  was  an 
inquisition  into  the  state  of  affairs,  and  we  found  things  not  to  be  so 
well  as  we  could  have  wished.  Mr.  President  endeavored  to  beat  oft* 
the  design's  proceeding,  but  was  conquered.  When  night  approached, 
the  wind  and  rain  were  perpetuous,  and  it  was  proposed  and  agreed 
upon  to  tarry  the  night  over,  and  perfect  the  business  —  for  entry  only 
had  been  made.  While  the  matter  of  a  tarry  was  agitating,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent takes  leave,  and  bids  good  night.  One  of  the  Overseers  told  him 
that  we  intended  to  proceed  in  business,  and  expected  that  he  would 
not  leave  us.  To  these  he  gave  some  short,  slight,  contemptuous  re- 
ply—  and  went  oil'.  This  then  raised  the  resentment  of  many,  and 
they  talked  with  heat  and  warmth  of  Mr.  Levcrett's  unworthy  treatment 
of  them  ;  and  of  sending  over  to  him  to  require  his  attendance,  &c. 
Mr.  Appleton,  your  classmate,  stood  by  all  this  while,  and  at  length 
took  occasion  to  drop  off.  'Twas  qaiessed,  and  he  could  not  deny  it, 
that  he  had  been  over  to  inform  Mr.  President  how  things  stood.  For 
the  President  came  over  in  a  very  little  time  in  the  utmost  good  humor, 
and  sat  till  the  matter  was  entirely  finished,  and  then  invited  several 
over  t<>  take  a  Lodging  with  him,  with  whom  your  unworthy  brother 
was  numbered,  hut  did  not  go.  Thus  I  have  given  you  a  summary  of 
that  visitation." 


59 


MR.    GEE'S    ORDINATION. 


"  On  Wednesday  last  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Gee  was  proceeded  in. 
The  affair  was  carried  on  with  so  much  seriousness  and  awi'ul  reverence, 
that  it*  I  had  been  wavering-  about  the  validity  of  our  ordination  before, 
I  should  have  been  then  fixed  and  established  by  the  solemnity  and  re- 
ligious devotion  visible  in  all  parties  at  the  sacred  action.  Every  man's 
soul  seemed  to  be  in  it." 

CHRIST    CHURCH. 

"  Yesterday,  (December  30,  1723,)  the  new  church  at  this  end  of 
the  town  was  met  in,  though  very  much  unfinished.  People  flocked 
to  it  in  abundance.  What  made  them  so  hasty  to  improve  it,  as  I  am 
informed,  was  because  Dr.  Culters  salary  was  not  to  begin,  till  he  be- 
gan to  preach  there.  There  seems  to  be  a  considerable  strangeness 
between  Harris  and  Culter  as  well  as  a  great  dislike  of  one  another, 
and  there  seems  to  be  a  breach  among  their  people." 

REV.    MR.    ROGERS,    OF    PORTSMOUTH. 

"  I  know  not  how  to  begin  to  condole  the  sad  state  of  poor  Ports- 
mouth in  the  awful  breach  made  upon  them  in  the  death  of  the  renown- 
ed Rogers  —  so  every  way  valuable  and  worthy.  You  hardly  yet  begin 
to  feel  his  loss.  I  think  no  man  would  have  been  missed  so  much  as 
he  in  all  your  province.  The  ministry  in  his  death  have  a  breach  made 
upon  them,  wide  like  the  sea.  He  was  their  head.  But,  alas  !  their 
crown  is  fallen.  I  seem  to  feel  a  heavy  share  in  his  loss.  The  news 
of  his  death  was  as  sadly  affecting  as  any  I  have  heard.  What  shall 
I  say  of  him  ?  My  father,  my  father  !  may  heaven  furnish  a  successor 
for  you  that  may  inherit  much  of  his  spirit.  Please  to  let  me  have  an 
account  of  his  funeral.  He  deserved  to  be  buried  in  the  city  of  David, 
among  the  kings.     When  he  died,  a  great  man  fell  in  Israel." 

MR.    WIGGLESWORTH'S    "  SOBER    REMARKS." 

"  Here  are  some  sober  remarks  published  upon  a  book,  called  '  A 
modest  proof  of  the  order  and  government  settled  by  Christ  and  his 
Apostles  in  his  Church.'  The  answerer  is  Master  Wigglesworth  — 
though  it  is  a  secret  and  must  be  concealed.  Notwithstanding,  you  must 
not  think  them  all  made  by  the  same  hand.  Where  there  is  any  bitterness 
shown  in  them,  where  there  are  any  ungentlemanly  jeers,  that  excellent 
man  utterly  disclaims  them.  But  the  most  ingenious  and  argumenta- 
tive part  of  the  book  is  his.  But  I  really  intreat  you  not  to  mention 
this  on  any  account,  for  he  is  greatly  solicitous  of  having  the  matter 
remain  a  secret.  He  industriously  conceals  himself,  and  there  are  but 
three  or  four  at  most  who  know  anything  about  it." 

WITCHCRAFT. 

"  There  is  a  story  started  in  town  (February,  1723)  of  a  certain 
woman  who  is  suspected  of  witchery.  'T  is  certain  that  here  are  two 
men  that  have  been  unaccountably  harassed  and  disturbed  in  their  busi- 
ness at  sea,  by  cross  winds  and  unsuccessful   attempts.     One  man  they 


GO 


put  ashore  at  Martha's  Vineyard.  lie  was  strangely  taken  with  a 
deadness  on  one  side  of  him  —  they  despairing  of  his  life.  But  when 
they  had  rid  the  vessel  of  him,  they  set  sail  with  a  pleasing  gale.  But 
it  was  observable  that  all  the  time  this  man  was  on  hoard,  the  wind  was 
right  ahead  ;  so  that  they  determined  that  he  was  the  Achan  that 
troubled  the  sloop,  lie  is  since  come  to  town.  The  occasion  of  the 
suspicion  is  some  threatening  speech  which  the  old  woman  used  when 
this  man's  wife  discharged  her  from  their  house  —  for  she  was  a  boarder 
with  them.  The  other  man  who  sailed  in  another  vessel  had  his  ad- 
versities. He  lately  had  a  lawsuit  with  her.  Now  you  may  believe, 
if  you  please,  or  may  let  it  alone." 

SALUTE    ON    SUNDAY. 

"  The  man-of-war  fired  her  guns  yesterday,  (October  19,  1723.) 
It  was  the  Lord's  day  and  the  King's  Coronation  day.  Methinks  we 
had  better  spare  an  empty  compliment  to  an  earthly  prince,  than  to 
affront  the  King  of  kings,  and  bellow  out  our  profanations  of  his  holy 
day." 


In  1730,  the  society  were  desirous  of  settling  a  colleague  with  Mr. 
Welsteed.  There  had  recently  arrived  in  Boston,  Mr.  William  Hooper, 
a  native  of  Scotland,  "  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  powers  of  mind, 
of  a  noble  aspect,  an  eloquent,  popular  preacher."  *  The  society  were 
much  attracted  by  his  gifts,  and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  Mr.  Wel- 
steed, extended  to  him  an  invitation  to  settle  with  them.  His  reply  is 
preserved  amongst  our  church  papers.  It  is  written  in  a  very  fine  and 
beautiful  hand,  and  is  as  follows  :  — 

"  Medford,  January  27,  1737. 

"  Reverend,  honored  and  beloved  : 

"  I  have  seriously  considered  the  invitation  you  gave  me  to  be  a 
settled  minister  of  the  Gospel  among  you,  and  I  have  consulted  my 
friends  upon  it.  I  adore  the  wonderful  goodness  of  God,  who  brought 
me  safe  to  this  land,  and  hath  given  me  so  much  favor  with  strangers. 
I  pray  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  direct  all  my  behavior  to  the  glory  of 
so  kind  a  Being,  the  advancing  of  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  and 
the  welfare  of  his  church  and  people.  I  most  heartily  thank  you,  gen- 
tlemen, for  the  singular  honor  you  have  done  me,  in  thinking  me  wor- 
thy to  be  called  to  the  great  and  important  office  of  a  minister  of  the 
everlasting  Gospel.  I  hope,  while  I  live,  I  shall  maintain  a  constant 
sense  of  your  generous  and  undeserved  respect ;  and  it  is  with  the 
greatest  reluctance,  I  must  at  last  acquaint  you,  that  I  cannot  serve  you 
in  what  vou  desire  of  me  ;  though  at  the  same  time  I  must  confess, 
iat  my  uneasiness  is  not  so  great  as  otherwise  it  would  be,  when  I 
consider  that  you  are  already  under  the  pastoral  care  of  so  worthy  a 
gentleman  as  the  Rev.  Mr.  Welsteed.     May  the  merciful  Redeemer  of 


*  Dr.  Lowell's  Historical  Discourse. 


61 


Souls  and  the  great  Head  of  his  Church,  hless  you  and  your  pastor, 
and  after  a  life  of  holiness  and  righteousness  in  this  world,  carry  you  all 
to  the  inconceivable  and  eternal  happiness  which  he  hath  purchased, 
and  is  preparing  in  heaven. 

I  am,  Reverend,  Honored,  and  Beloved, 
With  the  greatest  respect, 

Your  most  obliged,  and  most  humble  servant, 

Will.  Hooper." 

Mr.  Hooper  was  afterwards  ordained  over  the  West  Church,  on  the 
I8th  of  May,  1737.  That  church  was  formed  on  his  account.  He 
continued  its  pastor  for  nine  years,  when  "he  abdicated  without  a 
formal  resignation,  and  went  to  England,  to  receive  Episcopal  ordina- 
tion." He  afterwards  returned  to  Boston,  and  became  pastor  of  Trinity 
Church. 


"  1737.  February  5.  Voted,  that  a  day  of  prayer  be  observed  by 
this  church,  and  that  the  congregation  be  invited  to  join  with  us,  to  im- 
plore the  divine  conduct  and  blessing  in  the  important  affair  of  settling 
another  minister." 

"  1737.  March  21.  Voted,  that  a  committee  be  chosen  to  wait  on 
Mr.  Ellis  Gray  and  discourse  with  him  about  his  principles  in  religion." 

"  1737.  March  31.  The  committee  reported  that  they  had  been 
with  Mr.  Gray,  and  discoursed  with  him  upon  the  head  they  were  de- 
sired to,  and  had  received  satisfaction  from  him.  He  modestly  and 
freely  declared  to  them  that  in  point  of  doctrine  he  received  the  West- 
minster Confession,  and  in  point  of  discipline,  the  New-England  Plat- 
form, as  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God." 

Mr.  Gray  was  ordained,  September  27,  1738  The  services  com- 
menced with  prayer,  by  Mr.  Welsteed,  Dr.  Cooper  "  being  provi- 
dentially hindered."  Mr.  Gray  preached  from  Isaiah  vi.  5  —  8;  Mr. 
Webb  made  the  prayer  after  the  sermon  ;  Dr.  Colman  gave  the  charge, 
and  Dr.  Sewall  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  The  Rev.  Nehemiah 
Walter  joined  in  the  imposition  of  hands. 

Edward  Gray,  the  father  of  Ellis,  came  to  this  country  from  England 
at  the  age  of  thirteen.  He  served  his  time  with  Mr.  Barton,  at  Bar- 
ton's Point,  (so  called  after  him,)  as  a  ropemaker.  Dr.  Chauncy 
preached  a  sermon  on  the  occasion  of  his  death,  which  took  place  July 
2,  1757,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He  speaks  of  him  in  the 
highest  terms  of  eulogy,  which  he  says,  "  cannot,  as  is  usual,  disgust 
any  one,  as  being  esteemed  a  compliment  to  the  dead,  rather  than  his 
just  character,  since  he  was  a  person  so  unexceptionable,  so  unenvied 
unless  for  his  goodness,  and  so  universally  well  spoken  of,  both  while 
living,  and  now  he  is  dead."  He  married  twice.  His  first  wife  was 
named  Harrison,  by  whom  he  had  six  children;  one  of  whom,  named 


i>2 


Harrison,  was  Treasurer  of  the  Province,  and  left  Boston  with  the 
British  troops,  March  17,  1770,  as  did  also  his  son.  His  daughter 
married  Samuel  A.  Otis,  fatheT  of  the  present  Harrison  Gray  Otis. 

On  the  dtatli  of  his  fust  wife,  he  married  a  Miss  Ellis — a  neice  of 
Dr.  Column's  wife.  Dr.  Column  sent  for  her  from  England,  with  a 
view  to  this  marriage.  By  her  ho  had  five  children,  of  whom  the  oldest 
was  our  Ellis  Gray.  He  married  a  lady  by  the  name  of  Tyler.  Their 
daughter  married  Mr.  Carey,  late  of  Chelsea,  one  of  whose  daughters 
was  the  second  wife  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Tuckerman.  A  grand-daugh- 
ter married  Judge  Wilson,  one  of  Washington's  first  District  Judges  of 
the  United  States  Court ;  another,  Joseph  Hall,  late  Judge  of  Probate 
for  Suffolk  County.  Dr.  Thomas  Gray,  of  Jamaica  Plain,  is  a  nephew 
of  Ellis  Gray. 


"  Voted,  to  raise  a  sum  of  money  in  such  way  as  shall  be  thought 
most  proper,  for  a  present  to  our  reverend  ministers." 

Votes  of  this  sort  occur  very  frequently. 


Mr.  Gray  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  ;  Mr.  Welsteed  at  fifty- 
seven.  Their  portraits  hang  in  the  rooms  of  the  Historical  Society. 
The  bills  of  their  funeral  expenses  have  been  preserved.  For  Mr. 
Gray's  funeral  were  subscribed  eight  hundred  and  sixty-eight  pounds. 
The  charges  were  six  hundred  and  fifty-three,  and  two  hundred  and 
fifteen  were  given  to  his  widow.  Some  of  the  items  are  as  follows : 
"  wrine,  rum,  pipes,  tobacco — ten  pounds.  Shoes  and  cloggs.  Hose 
and  gloves,"  to  a  very  large  amount.  "  Necklace  for  the  negro.  A 
large  beaver  hat  for  Mr.  Welsteed.  Three  ditto  for  Mr.  Gray's  two 
sons  and  negro.  Fifteen  candles.  Black  shoe-buckles."  A  great 
many  "  gold  rings.  Handkerchiefs.  A  light  gray  bob  wig  for  Mr. 
Welsteed.     Tolling  six  bells,"  &c.  &c. 


Note  F.     Page  30. 

"  The  first  bell  was  hung  in  1743,  and  the  same  year  the  meeting- 
house was  for  the  first  time  painted.  This  bell  was  removed  and  sold 
in  17*0,  and  the  bell  of  the  Old  North,  which  was  larger,  was  hung  in 
its  place.  Jt  was  injured  in  1792,  and  forbidden  to  be  rung,  except  in 
case  of  lire,  till  it  was  re-cast,  in  the  same  year,  and  was  the  first  bell 
from  the  foundry  of  the  late  Paul  Revere,  Esq.,  which  appears  by  the 
following  inscription  upon  it  :  'The  first  bell  cast  in  Boston,  1792,  by 
P.  Revere.1  "     [Note  to  Mr.  Ware's  Century  Sermon.] 


63 


Note  II.     Page  32. 

Dr.  Pcmberton  was  chosen  December  31,  1753,  by  a  unanimous  vote 
of  the  church,  and  by  fifty-four  votes  of  the  congregation,  two  per- 
sons not  voting.  Tbe  arrangement  of  services  at  his  ordination  has 
not  been  recorded.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  doings  of  the  Synod 
and  Presbytery,  by  which  he  was  dismissed  from  his  charge  in  New- 
York  :  — 

"  An  extract  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Synod  convened  at  Phila- 
delphia,   October  4,  A.  D.  1753. 

"  A  representation  being  made  to  the  Synod  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pem- 
berton,  and  some  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Congregation  in  New- 
York,  of  unhappy  divisions  still  subsisting  among  them,  and  requesting 
their  assistance  in  their  present  distressing  circumstances  —  the  Synod 
do  appoint  the  Rev.  Messrs.  William  Tennant,  A.  Burr,  Richard  Treat, 
Charles  Beaty,  Samuel  Davis,  David  Bostwick,  Elihu  Spencer,  Caleb 
Smith,  and  John  Rogers,  a  committee  to  meet  at  New-York,  on  the 
fourth  Wednesday  of  this  instant,  October,  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  with 
full  power  and  authority  to  transact  in  the  affairs  of  said  Congregation, 
as  they  shall  judge  necessary,  in  order  to  heal  their  divisions,  and  pro- 
mote the  interest  of  religion  among  them. 

D.  Bostwick,  Clerk  of  the  Synod. 

"  An  extract  of  the  Minutes  of  the  Committee  met  at  New- 
York,  according  to  the  above  appointment,  October  24,  A.  JD.  1753. 

"  This  Committee,  considering  the  many  special  difficulties  Mr.  Pem- 
berton  labors  under,  do  allow  him  a  month's  time  of  trial,  and  if,  upon 
a  faithful  endeavor  to  heal  the  divisions,  and  serve  the  interest  of  Christ's 
Kingdom  among  them,  he  finds  all  his  attempts  vain,  and  still  continues 
his  desire  of  removal,  they  judge  it  best  that  he  should  then  be  left  at 
liberty  to  go  or  stay  as  he  shall  think  most  consistent  with  his  duty. 

D.  Bostwick,  Clerk  of  said  Com. 

"  The  Presbytery  of  New-York,  pro  re  nata,    met  at  Newark, 

January  30,  A.  D.  1754. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Ebenezer  Pemberton  having  been  for  many  years  a 
worthy  member  of  this  Presbytery,  and  lately  dismissed  by  commission 
of  the  Synod,  from  his  pastoral  charge  of  the  Presbyterian  Congrega- 
tion in  New- York,  and  being  now,  as  we  understand,  removed  to  Bos- 
ton :  —  These  may  certify  that  said  Mr.  Pemberton  is  a  regular  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel,  of  an  exemplary,  pious  conversation,  who  has  to  an 
uncommon  degree  maintained  the  dignity  of  the  ministerial  character  ; 
the  Presbytery  heartily  grieve  at  the  departure  of  so  truly  valuable  a 
member  from  among  them,  and  would  cheerfully  recommend  him  as 
one  whom  God  hath  eminently  endowed  with  ministerial  abilities,  whose 
labors  have  been  acceptable  and  highly  esteemed  throughout  these 
churches. 

Signed  by  order.  A.  Burr,  Moderator. 


a 


"  Caleb  Smith,   Clerk.''' 


6-1 


"  July  10,  1T50.  Voted,  that  the  Standing  Committee  be  desired  to 
wail  on  hia  Honor,  the  Lieutenanl  Governor  Hutchinson,  to  invite  him 
to  sit  in  the  fore  scat,  and  that  a  cushion  he  made  i'or  his  use." 

"  May  26,  L766.  On  a  motion  made  and  seconded  respecting  making 
our  elder's  scat  and  the  deacon's  seat  into  one,  as  it  has  lately  been 
done  at  .Mr.  Cooper's  and  the  Old  North  churches  ;  it  was  voted,  unan- 
imously, that  it  be  done  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  that  some  persons  go 
with  a  carpenter  and  see  how  the  alteration  is  at  the  Old  North  and  Mr. 
( looper's,  that  so  ours  may  be  done  in  the  most  convenient  manner." 

"  July  11,  17G7.  Voted,  to  have  electrical  points  or  wires  put  up  on 
the  steeple." 

"  March  16,  1700.  Last  night  died  Deacon  Lee,  aged  ninety.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  deacons  of  this  church,  from  the  year  1721,  and 
one  of  the  forty  proprietors  that  built  the  meeting-house.  He  outlived 
all  his  brethren  that  were  the  original  founders  of  this  church." 

"  1703.  August  31.  On  hearing  that  the  llev.  Mr.  Whitefield  is 
soon  expected,  the  committee  voted,  unanimously,  that  our  pastor  be  de- 
sired to  invite  him  to  preach  in  our  meeting-house  as  often  as  may  be 
convenient,  as  the  committee  apprehend  it  will  be  agreeable  to  the 
greater  part  of  the  people." 

An  attempt  was  several  times  made  to  settle  a  colleague  with  Dr. 
Pemberton.  In  1703,  Mr.  Tennant  was  selected  for  this  office,  and 
some  action  of  the  church  was  taken  in  regard  to  him,  but  "  he  went 
off,  and  so  the  matter  dropped." 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1770,  Mr.  Isaac  Story  was  desired  by  the 
church  to  preach  as  a  candidate,  and  to  settle.  Dr.  Pemberton  did  not 
approve  of  this  choice.  The  following  correspondence  and  doings  took 
place  in  relation  to  Mr.  Story's  settlement :  — 

"  MEMORANDUM. 

"  January,  1771. 

"  Several  of  our  brethren  desired  Deacons  Tudor  and  Greenough  to 
go  and  discourse  once  more  with  Dr.  Pemberton  on  our  church's  affairs, 
respecting  Mr.  Story's  preaching  with  us,  &c.  Agreeably  to  said  re- 
quest they  went,  and  after  a  full  hour's  conversation,  Dr.  Pemberton 
made  a  proposal,  and  said  it  was  best  to  commit  it  to  writing  to  prevent 
any  mistake  ;  accordingly  Mr.  Tudor  took  the  words  down  as  Mr.  Pem- 
berton spake  them,  which  is  as  follows,  viz  :  — 

"  January  18,  1771.  In  conversation  this  evening,  Dr.  Pemberton 
said,  that  he  was  freely  willing  the  congregation  should  hear  Mr.  Story 
three  or  four  months,  more  or  less,  as  they  please  ;  nay,  that  he  is  de- 
sirous they  should  enjoy  their  liberty  in  hearing  him;  and  if,  at  the  ex- 
piration of  that  term,  they  shall  think  fit  to  give  him  a  call,  and  in 
consequence  of  that  call  he  shall  be  regularly  settled  amongst  them, 
Mr.  Pemberton  will  fjive  them  no  obstruction  in  their  proceedings,  only 
reserves  to  himself  the  ii <_rht  of  private  judgment,  and  cannot  act  con- 
trary to  it,  winch  he  thinks  they  ought  to  indulge  him  in,  seeing  he 


65 


allowed  them  the  same  liberty  :  and  when  he  is  thus  settled,  Mr.  Pem- 
berton  will  act  with  him  as  his  colleague,  whatever  his  private  judg- 
ment may  be. 

"  This  is  agreeable  to  my  sentiments.  E.  Pemberton. 

"  Dr.  Pemberton,  in  private  conversation,  used  to  say,  that  Mr.  Story 
was  in  principle  a  Fatalist,  and  that  his  nephew  was  pretty  much  in 
the  same  way." 

"Dear  Sir: — With  concern  we  wrote  you  our  last  letter ;  our 
reverend  pastor  not  seeing  his  way  clear  to  unite  with  us  in  the  invita- 
tion we  had  before  sent  you  ;  but  it  is  with  great  satisfaction  we  now 
assure  you,  and  we  have  it  under  Dr.  Pemberton's  hand,  'that  he  is 
freely  willing  the  congregation  should  hear  you  three  or  four  months, 
more  or  less,  as  they  please  ;  nay,  that  he  is  desirous  they  shall  hear 
you,  and  if  they  should  give  you  a  call,  and  you  should  be  settled,  he 
will  act  with  you  as  a  colleague.'  Dr.  Pemberton  writes  you  by  this 
opportunity,  so  that  you  will  be  fully  acquainted  with  his  present  sen- 
timents immediately  from  himself.  Our  people  are  as  desirous  as  ever 
to  hear  you,  and  more  so.  Therefore,  sir,  we  shall  take  it  as  a  favor 
if  you  would,  as  soon  as  may  be,  let  us  have  another  specimen  of  your 
ability.     We  wish  you  all  happiness,  and  are 

Your  humble  servants, 
"  Boston,  January  22,  1771.  John  Tudor, 

John  Ruddock, 
John  Marston, 
William  Paine, 
Thomas  Hitchborn, 
"To  Mr.  Isaac  Story..  N.  Greenough. 

"  Please  to  favor  us  with  a  few  lines." 

"  Boston,  January  23,  1771. 

"  Sir  :  — A  considerable  number  of  my  congregation  desire  to  hear 

you  preach  for  some  time,  and  I  am  desirous  they  should  enjoy  their 

liberty.     If  you  comply  with  their  invitation,  you  may  expect  on  this 

and  every  other  occasion  the  most  kind  and  complaisant  treatment  from 

Sir,  your  humble  servant, 

E.  Pemberton. 
"To  Mr.  Isaac  Story." 

"  Gentlemen  :  — I  received  yours  of  the  third  instant.  The  great 
unanimity  which  the  church  and  congregation  have  manifested  in  this 
their  invitation,  calls  for  the  most  serious  attention  on  the  one  hand,  and 
the  most  grateful  returns  on  the  other.  The  difficulties  that  attend 
my  accepting  this  invitation,  you  must  be  sensible  are  very  great,  and 
in  a  manner  insurmountable.  Last  Monday  the  proprietors  of  the  new 
parish  in  Marblehead  had  a  meeting,  after  the  opening  of  which,  they 
sent  me  a  unanimous  invitation  to  preach  with  them  two  months.  This 
I  felt  myself  obliged  to  comply  with,  immediately,  as  the  people  were 
importunate  and  waiting  for  an  answer.  What  farther  influenced  me, 
arose  partly  from  my  not  hearing  from  you,  but  more  from  the  conver- 
sation I  had  with  your  venerable  pastor,  the  substance  of  which  was, 
that  I  must  expect  no  encouragement  from  him,  &c.     It  could  scarcely 

9 


66 


be  expected  that  I  should  be  willing-  to  preach  with  so  respectable  a 
gentleman,  when  he  discovers,  even  according  to  your  own  letter,  so 
great  an  aversion.  My  being-  engaged  at  Marblchcad  will,  I  hope,  tend 
to  the  peace  and  establishment  of  your  church,  as  my  accepting  your 
offer  would,  in  his  opinion,  be  the  ruin  of  the  same. 

"  Thus,  gentlemen,  I  have  laid  before  you  the  whole  state  of  affairs. 
May  the  God  of  all  wisdom  and  of  all  goodness  direct  you  and  me  into 
such  measures  as  shall  be  for  his  glory,  and  the  advancement  of  his 
Son's  kingdom. 

"  1  subscribe  myself,  with  due  respects,  your,  and  the  church  and 
congregation's  humble  servant,  in  our  common  Lord, 

Isaac  Story. 

"  Ipswich,  January  4,  1771. 

"  To  John  Tudor  and  John  Ruddock,  Esquires,  and  Messrs.  Thomas 
Greenough,  John  Marslon,  William  Paine,  Thomas  Hitchborn,  and 
N.  Greenough,  Committee  of  the  New  Brick  Church,  in  Boston. 

P.  S.     Please  to  give  my  regards  to  Dr.  Pemberton." 


a 


Mr.  Story  was  afterwards  settled  at  Marblehead,  and  Dr.  Pemberton 
preached  his  ordination  sermon. 

Note  I.     Page  33. 

Dr.  Pemberton  had  three  wives,  one  named  Penhallow,  of  Portsmouth  ; 
another,  Powell.  It  is  said  there  is  a  portrait  of  him  at  E.  P.  Cady's, 
at  Plainiield,  Conn.     He  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two. 

Note  J.     Page  35. 

Very  friendly  invitations  have  been  extended  to  our  congregation  by 
the  Baptist  Society,  worshiping  in  Baldwin  Place,  the  Universalist, 
in  Hanover-street,  the  New  North,  and  the  Bulfinch-street,  to  use  their 
houses  of  worship  at  such  times  as  we  may  desire,  when  they  are  not 
occupied,  until  our  own  is  completed.  It  has  been  thought  best  to  have, 
for  the  present,  only  one  service  on  Sunday.  It  is  held  in  the  Bulfinch- 
street  meeting-house,  at  half-past  four,  P.  M. 

At  the  time  when  Dr.  Stillman  and  Dr.  Pemberton  preached  alter- 
nately in  the  pulpit  of  the  latter,  the  custom  was  to  take  up  a  contribu- 
tion for  the  payment  of  the  minister's  salary.  Both  the  ministers  re- 
ceived their  pay  from  the  same  box.  The  money  intended  for  each  was 
so  marked  ;  and  all  the  unmarked  money  was  divided  equally  between 
them. 

Dr.  Pemberton's  salary  often  fell  short  of  the  amount  agreed  upon. 
He  relinquished  most  of  his  demands  against  the  parish,  and  was  very 
liberal  to  it. 


67 


Note  K.     Page  35. 

"  Form  of  Union,  between  the  Church  of  Christ,  late  under  the  pas- 
toral care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pemeerton,  and  the  Second  Church  of 
Christ  in  Boston,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  John  Latiirop. 

"First,  the  Moderator  of  the  New  Brick  Church,  late  under  the 
pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pemberton,  addresses  himself  as  follows, 
to  the  members  of  the  church  :  — 

"  Brethren  :  —  It  having  pleased  Almighty  God  to  remove  from  us  by 
death  our  late  evangelical  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pemberton,  under  whose 
ministry  some  of  us  have  sat  with  pleasure  for  many  years,  and  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  having  so  ordered  events  in  the  Kingdom  of 
Providence,  that  we  have  enjoyed  the  ministerial  labors  of  the  Rev.  John 
Lathrop,  who  has  statedly  ministered  to  us,  and  to  the  church  under  his 
particular  care,  which  has  assembled  with  us  since  the  evacuation  of  the 
town  by  the  British  forces  in  March,  1776  :  —  finding  ourselves  reduced 
to  a  small  number,  it  has  been  thought  that  it  might  tend  to  the  glory  of 
the  Redeemer's  Kingdom,  and  to  our  own  edification,  for  us  to  unite  and 
incorporate  with  the  Second  Church  of  Christ,  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Rev.  John  Lathrop,  with  whose  ministerial  labors  we  have  ex- 
pressed our  full  satisfaction  ;  that  from  henceforth  we  be  one  Church  or 
Corporate  Body,  equally  entitled  to  all  the  rights  and  privileges,  all  the 
stock,  whether  in  plate,  money,  books,  houses,  lands,  and  hereditaments 
which  have  hitherto  been  the  separate  property  of  each  church. 

"  As  this  important  affair  has  been  for  some  time  under  consideration, 
and  every  member  of  the  church  has  had  time  to  think  and  determine, 
if  you  please,  I  will  put  the  question.  If  it  be  your  minds,  then,  my 
brethren,  that  the  Church  of  Christ,  late  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Pemberton,  should  unite  and  incorporate  with  the  Second  Church  of 
Christ  in  Boston,  please  to  signify  it  by  the  usual  sign  of  holding  up  the 
hand. 

"  The  Moderator  will  then  address  himself  to  the  brethren  of  the 
congregation  usually  known  by  the  name  of  the  New  Brick  :  — 

"  Brethren  :  —  As  the  Church  of  Christ,  late  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pemberton,  have  now  voted  to  unite  and  incorporate 
with  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in  this  town,  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lathrop,  it  is  proper  that  the  congregation  who  usually 
attended  on  the  ministry  of  the  late  Dr.  Pemberton,  should  signify  their 
concurrence  with  what  the  church  has  done.  If  it  be  your  minds,  then, 
brethren,  to  concur  with  the  church  in  their  act  of  union  and  incorpora- 
tion with  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in  this  town,  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  the  Rev.  John  Lathrop,  please  to  signify  it. 

u  The  Moderator  of  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in  this  town,  will 
address  himself  to  that  church  in  the  following  manner  :  — 

"  Brethren  of  the  Second  Church  in  this  town  :  —  You  have  now  at- 
tended to  the  vote  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  late  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pemberton,  for  uniting  and  incorporating  with  us.  It 
is  now  for  us  to  declare  our  concurrence  with  what  is  expressed  in  the 
vote  of  union  just  now  passed  by  this  our  sister  church.     If  you  please, 


G8 


I  will  put  the  question.  If  it  be  your  minds,  then,  my  brethren,  that 
the  Church  of  Christ,  late  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pern- 
berton,  should  be  united  with  us,  so  that  from  this  time  we  be  one 
Church,  or  Corporate  Body,  known  by  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in 
Boston  ;  and  that  all  those  rights  and  privileges,  all  the  stock,  in  plate, 
money,  books,  houses,  lands,  and  hereditaments,  which  have  hitherto 
been  the  separate  property  of  each  church,  shall  from  this  time  become 
one  common  stock,  to  which  all  the  members  of  this  united  church  shall 
be  equally  entitled  ;  and  from  this  time  we  consider  the  members  of  the 
church,  late  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pemberton,  and  the  mem- 
bers of  our  own  church  as  one  body,  equally  bound  to  watch  over  one 
another  in  love,  and  promote  the  edification  and  happiness  of  the  whole : 
—  If  this  be  your  minds,  please  to  signify  it. 

"  The  Moderator  will  then  address  himself  to  the  brethren  of  the 
congregation  usually  known  by  the  name  of  the  Old  North  :  — 

"  Brethren  :  — You  have  attended  to  the  union  which  has  now  taken 
place.  The  church,  late  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pem- 
berton, and  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in  this  town,  are  no  more 
twain,  but  one  body  in  the  Lord.  You  have  also  attended  to  the  vote 
of  the  New  Brick  congregation,  declaring  their  concurrence  with  the 
church  in  the  act  of  union  which  has  been  passed.  Nothing  now  re- 
mains but  your  concurrence  with  the  whole  :  —  If  it  be  your  minds,  then, 
that  inasmuch  as  a  union  has  been  complicated  between  the  churches, 
the  congregations  should  be  united  likewise,  please  to  manifest  it. 

"  Conclusion.  Brethren  :  —As  we  are  now  one  church  and  one  con- 
gregation,, God  grant  we  maybe  one  in  Christ ;  equally  interested  in  the 
merits  of  his  obedience  and  death  :  —  God  grant  we  may  be  edified  more 
and  more  in  love,  and  that  by  his  grace  we  may  be  all  prepared  to  join 
with  the  general  assembly  and  church  of  the  first-born  on  high,  to 
ascribe  blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  power  unto  Him  that  sitteth 
upon  the  Throne,  and  to  the  Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen  and  Amen, 

"Boston,  June  30,  1779." 


The  above  was  drawn  up  by  Deacon  Tudor, 


Note  L.     Page  36. 

11  1779.  August  2.  Received  from  Mr.  Thomas  Hitchborn,  who 
had  the  care  of  it,  a  red  velvet  pulpit  cushion  and  case.  Note.  This 
cushion  was  delivered  to  brother  S.  Austin,  and  sold  to  the  first  church 
in  Hingham,  for  six  cords  of  wood,  which,  on  November  13th,  was 
brought  up  and  carted  to  Mr,  Lathrop's  house." 

"  1779.  July  29.  The  Committee  met,  but  by  reason  of  a  most  ex- 
traordinary affair  that  came  before  the  body  of  the  people  at  their  meet- 
ing at  Faneuil  Hall  —  viz  :  a  great  number  of  prisoners  being  in  town, 
in  prison,  and  on  board  three  or  four  guard  ships,  had  laid  a  plot  to  break 
jail,  &c,  set  the  town  in  flames,  and  run  off  with  some  vessels  —  there- 
lore  the  Committee  adjourned." 


69 


The  subjoined  notes  show  the  very  high  price  of  wood  in  1780,  and 

also  the  great  depreciation  of  the  currency  :  — 

"  1780.  January.  Note.  The  Committee  desired  me  (J.  Tudor) 
to  get,  if  I  had  any  opportunity,  a  small  parcel  of  wood,  for  Mr.  Lath- 
rop,  on  my  wharf,  for  the  present,  hoping  it  would  soon  be  cheaper. 
They  ask  three  hundred  dollars  a  cord,  out  of  a  small  sloop  that  lays 
at  my  wharf.  But  the  people  will  not  give  it,  only  a  few  from  necessity. 
But  I  got  half  a  cord  of  south-shore  wood,  as  Mr.  Lathrop  was  out." 

"  1780.  March  28.  Agreed  to  let  Mr.  Cunningham  have  the  two 
old  Connecticut  stones  that  lay  on  the  Old  North  land,  for  half  a  cord  of 
wood,  to  be  sent  to  Mr.  Lathrop." 

In  December,  1780,  two  thousand  pounds  were  raised  to  purchase 
Dr.  Lathrop's  winter  wood. 


a 


The  meeting-house  was  on  fire  at  the  south-east  end,  and  burnt 
through  the  roof,  from  the  fire  from  Hitchborn's,  &c.  The  south  part 
caught  when  Dr.  Clark's  great  barn  was  burnt.  The  steeple  caught 
when  the  joiner's  shop  was  burnt  opposite  to  it,  and  the  top  in  danger 
several  times  ;  after  which  we  put  on  a  turret,  and  through  the  favor  of 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  it  has  been  preserved  to  this  ;  July, 
1779." 


a 


1781.  The  tub  of  the  Old  North  Engine,  then  the  largest  in  Bos- 
ton, was  brought  into  the  meeting,  in  order  that  a  child,  about  ten  years 
old,  might,  at  the  particular  request  of  the  mother,  be  baptized  by  im- 


mersion." 


The  Parsonage  house  for  Dr.  Lathrop  was  built  on  the  land  formerly 
occupied  by  the  Old  North  meeting-house.  Subscriptions  were  obtained 
to  assist  in  the  purchase  of  it. 

"  1789.  September  7.  Voted,  that  the  committee  who  let  the  meet- 
ing-house yard  to  Mr.  Godfrey,  inform  him  that  it  is  expected  that  the 
fens  for  keeping  pigs  in  said  yard,  are  considered  a  great  nuisance,  and 
that  a  removal  of  them  immediately  is  required.  Also,  that  he  is  to 
keep  the  gates  of  said  yard  in  repair,  and  the  passage-way  leading 
through  his  land  into  Fore-street,  in  decent  order  for  the  passing  and  re- 
passing to  the  meeting-house." 

"  1791.  October  24.  Voted,  that  the  society  be  desired  to  tarry  on 
the  next  Sabbath,  in  order  to  determine  whether,  if  the  New  North 
have  but  one  service  on  the  approaching  Thanksgiving  day,  we  shall 
have  but  one." 

Note  M.     Page  39. 

Mr.  Emerson  was  chosen  by  a  vote  of  seventy- four  out  of  eighty- 
three  —  the  worshipers  voting   with  the  proprietors.      The  order    of 


70 


services  at  his  ordination  was  as  follows,  viz  :  Dr.  Pierce,  of  Brookline, 
offered  the  introductory  prayer  and  read  the  scriptures.  Mr.  Ripley,  of 
Walt  ham,  preached,  from  the  text,*1  Preaching-  peace  by  Jesus  Christ." 
Mr.  Parkman,  of  the  New  North,  made  the  Ordaining  prayer.  Dr. 
Ripley,  of  Concord,  gave  the  charge.  Mr.  Frothingham,  of  the  first 
Church,  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  Mr.  Gannett,  of  the  Federal- 
street  Church,  the  address  to  the  people.  Mr.  Upham,  of  Salem,  the 
concluding  prayer. 


In  June,  1830.  Mr.  Emerson  invited  the  brethren  of  the  church  to 
meet  at  his  house,  "  to  receive  a  communication  from  him  in  relation  to 
the  views  at  which  he  had  arrived,  respecting  the  ordinance  of  the 
Lord's  Supper."  After  a  statement  of  them,  he  proposed  "  so  far  to 
change  the  manner  of  administering  the  rite,  as  to  disuse  the  elements, 
and  relinquish  the  claim  of  authority  ;  and  suggested  a  mode  of  com- 
memoration winch  might  secure  the  undoubted  advantages  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  without  its  objectionable  features."  After  hearing  this  communi- 
cation, the  church  appointed  a  committee  to  consider  and  report  on  the 
subject.  This  committee  consisted  of  Deacons  Mackintosh  and  Patter- 
son. Dr.  John  Ware,  George  B.  Emerson,  George  A.  Sampson,  Gedney 
King,  and  Samuel  Beal.  They  reported  the  following  resolutions:  1. 
"  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  church,  after  a  careful  consideration  of  the 
subject,  it  is  expedient  to  maintain  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
in  the  present  form."  2.  "  That  the  brethren  of  this  church  retain  an 
undiminished  regard  for  the  pastor,  and  entertain  the  hope  that  he  will 
find  it  consistent  with  his  sense  of  duty,  to  continue  the  customary  ad- 
ministration of  the  Supper."  These  resolutions  were  unanimously 
adopted. 

The  pastor  afterwards,  in  a  public  discourse,  explained  to  the  society 
his  views  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  informed  them  of  the  decision  of 
the  church.  In  conclusion,  he  stated  his  conviction,  that  as  it  was  no 
longer  in  his  power,  with  a  single  mind,  to  administer  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, it  became  his  duty  to  resign  his  charge.  He  therefore  requested  a 
dismission  of  the  proprietors,  which  was  granted. 


Note  N.     Page  44. 

Deacon  John  Tudor  was  a  very  valuable  and  efficient  officer  of  the 
church  and  proprietors.  Amongst  other  donations  he  gave  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  dollars  for  the  support  of  singing.  Every  matter  of  in- 
terest, relating  to  the  affairs  of  the  church  and  congregation,  was  care- 


71 


fully  recorded  by  him.  The  greater  part  of  the  votes  and  other  records 
which  I  have  copied  from  the  society's  books,  in  this  Appendix,  up  to 
the  year  1781,  are  in  his  hand- writing.  As  an  instance  of  his  accuracy 
and  fidelity  in  relation  to  the  records,  I  will  refer  to  a  single  additional 
entry  of  his  in  the  church  book,  in  the  year  1772.  It  seems  that  Dea- 
con Lee,  his  predecessor  in  the  office  of  Treasurer,  had  omitted  to  give 
an  account,  of  the  manner  in  which  he  had  disposed  of  a  certain  sum  of 
money,  collected  and  put  into  his  hands.  Deacon  Tudor  explains  the 
transaction,  and  justifies  Deacon  Lee  by  the  following  records.  He 
writes  — 

"  There  was  a  collection,  I  remember,  in  many  of  the  congregational 
churches,  in  1739,  to  defend  a  lawsuit  unjustly  brought  against  Mr. 
Torrey,  the  minister  of  South  Kingston,  in  order  to  recover  the  par- 
sonage estate  possessed  by  Mr.  Torrey.  The  estate  was  left,  by  a  gen- 
tleman, for  the  support  of  an  orthodox  minister  of  said  Kingston,  and, 
as  I  remember,  one  Doctor  McSparrow,  a  church  minister,  took  it  into 
his  head  that  no  minister  was  Orthodox  unless  he  was  ordained  by  a  Bish- 
op, &c.  &c.  ;  so,  by  the  help  of  some,  no  better  than  himself,  he  brought 
an  action  to  recover  the  estate  for  himself  and  successors,  but  he  failed 
in  his  unjust  prosecution. 


■>■> 


Deacon  Tudor  also  pasted  into  the  church  records  a  receipt  for  thirty- 
five  pounds,  ten  shillings,  from  the  New  Brick  congregation  for  the  use 
of  Mr.  Torrey  in  this  suit,  from  Deacon  Lee,  signed  by  Dr.  Benjamin 
Colman. 


When  Deacon  Samuel  Parkman  left  the  church,  to  unite  himself 
with  the  New  North,  under  the  pastorai  care  of  his  son,  votes  were 
passed  expressive  of  the  high  regard  entertained  for  his  services,  and 
a  beautiful  and  costly  silver  pitcher  was  presented  to  him,  with  the  fol- 
lowing inscription  :  — 

PRESENTED,  MAY  25,  1824, 

To     SAMUEL     PARKMAN,    Esq., 

IN      MEMORY      OP 

HIS     FAITHFUL     SERVICES,     AND     DEVOTED     FRIENDSHIP, 

FOR      A      LONG      SERIES      OF      YEARS, 

AND     IN     VARIOUS     OFFICES. 


The  following  are  —  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain  them  — 
the  names  of  those  who  have  officiated  as  deacons  of  the  New  Brick 


72 


Church,  and,  since  its  union  with  the  Second  Church,  of  the  latter  :  — 
Solomon  Townsend,  William  Lee,  James  Halsey,  (who  was  also  chosen 
Ruling  Elder  ;  he  was  the  only  one  who  would  accept  the  office,  which 
he  held  for  many  years.)  Eben.  Bridge,  John  Tudor,  Thomas  Green- 
ough,  Thomas  Hitchborn,  Benjamin  Henderson,  Samuel  Ridgway, 
Jonathan  Brown,  William  Boardman,  William  Bell,  Samuel  Park- 
man,  Thomas  Lewis,  James  Foster,  Peter  Mackintosh,  Jr.,  Enoch  Pat- 
terson, Richard  W.  Baylev,  J.  N.  Daniell. 


The  present  pastor  of  the  Second  Church  and  Society  was  chosen 
by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  proprietors,  October  20,  1833.  At  his  or- 
dination, which  took  place  December  4,  1833,  the  order  of  services 
was  as  follows,  viz  : — introductory  prayer,  and  selections  from  scrip- 
ture, by  Rev.  John  Pierpont  ;  sermon,  by  Professor  Henry  Ware,  Jr.  ; 
ordaining  prayer,  by  Rev.  Hezekiah  Packard,  D.  D.  ;  charge,  by  Rev. 
James  Kendall,  D.  D.  ;  fellowship  of  the  churches,  by  Rev.  Francis 
Parkman  ;  concluding  prayer,  by  Rev.  George  Putnam. 


COVENANT    OF    THE    SECOND    CHURCH. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  1821,  the  church  voted  to  restore  and 
adopt  for  their  use,  on  the  admission  of  members,  the  ancient  covenant 
used  by  Dr.  Increase  Mather.     It  is  in  these  words,  viz  :  — 

"  You  do  in  this  solemn  presence,  give  up  yourself  to  the  true  God 
in  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  his  people  also  according  to  the  will  of  God, 
promising  to  walk  with  God,  and  with  this  church  of  his,  in  all  his  holy 
ordinances,  and  to  yield  obedience  to  every  truth  of  his,  which  has  been 
or  shall  be  made  known  to  you  as  your  duty,  the  Lord  assisting  you  by 
his  spirit  and  grace. 

"  We  then,  the  church  of  Christ  in  this  place,  do  receive  you  into 
the  fellowship,  and  promise  to  walk  towards  you,  and  to  watch  over 
you  as  a  member  of  this  church,  endeavoring  )'our  spiritual  edification 
in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 


LIBRARY    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

A  valuable  library  belonged  to  the  Second  Church,  which  was  found- 
ed at  the  suggestion  of  Joshua  Gee,  and  received  donations  from  several 
clergymen  and  others.  In  1827,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Ware,  who 
stated  that  efforts  were  making  to  build  up  a  library  for  the  Theological 
School,  at  Cambridge,  the  church  "  voted,  that  the  pastor  be  authorized 


73 


to  select  such  volumes  as  he  may  think  proper,  from  its  library,  and 
make  a  donation  of  them  to  the  library  of  the  Theological  School,  with 
the  proviso,  that  the  minister  of  the  Second  Church  shall  always  have 
free  use  of  the  library  of  the  Theological  School." 


COMMUNION    PLATE. 

At  the  time  of  the  union  of  the  Second  and  New  Brick  Churches, 
several  valuable  articles  of  silver  plate,  being  unnecessary,  were  sold. 
The  following  is  a  description  of  the  silver  Communion  Plate,  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Second  Church  :  — 

One  large  Flagon,  with  this  inscription  thereon  :  "  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Wensley,  to  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in  Boston,  1711."  Also, 
stamped  on  the  bottom  "  po." 

One  large  Flagon,   inscribed  :   "  The  Legacy  of  Mr.  John  Frisell, 
who  died  April  10,  1723,  to  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in  Boston." 
Also,  a  coat  of  arms  is  engraved  thereon,  with  this  motto  :   "  Jesu  est 
Prest."     Also,  stamped  with  the  letters  "  ib  "  twice  on  the  body  of 
the  flagon,  near  the  handle. 

One  large  Flagon,  inscribed  :  "  This  Flagon  is  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Do- 
rothy Frisell  to  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in  Boston,  December, 
1733." 

One  smaller  Flagon,  inscribed  :  "  The  gift  of  Mrs.  Dorothy  Frisell 
to  the  Church  of  Christ  in  Boston,  of  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  William 
Waldron  is  the  pastor,  1724."     Also  stamped  "  ib." 

One  large  Flagon,  inscribed:  "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Welsteed,  Pastor  of 
this  Church,  ordered,  on  his  death  bed,  this  Flagon  to  be  given  as  a 
token  of  the  tender  affection  he  bears  towards  us,  1753."  A  coat  of 
arms  is  engraved  on  it,  but  no  motto.  Stamped  near  the  handle  with 
the  word  "  bridge." 

One  smaller  Flagon,  no  inscription.  Stamped  twice  near  the  handle 
with  the  letters  "  t.t." 

One  large  Cup,  inscribed  :  "  A  Friend's  gift  to  the  North  Brick 
Church,  1730."     A  coat  of  arms  on  the  reverse  side,  and  also  stamped 


"ig." 


One  large  Cup,  stamped  "  hurd." 

One  large  Cup,  stamped  "  ig."  and  engraved  on  the  bottom,  "  1731." 

One  large  Cup,  stamped  "  gh." 

One  large  Cup,  engraved,  "  Given  by  Nathaniel  Loring  to  the  New 
Brick  Church,  1723-4."     Stamped  on  the  bottom,  "  ir." 

One  smaller  Cup,  inscribed,  "  Given  by  W.  L.  to  the  New  Brick 
Church,  1723-4."     Stamped  on  the  bottom,  "  ir." 

10 


74 


One  smaller  Cup,  stamped  on  the  bottom,  "  gh." 

Two  small  Spoons,  with  holes  in  the  bowls  for  strainers  ;  stamped 

"  P.R." 

One  large  Dish,  inscribed,  "  The  gift  of  Edward  Hutchinson  to  the 
Second  Church  in  Boston,  May,  1711." 

One  Dish  to  match,  inscribed  "  The  gift  of  Thomas  Hutchinson  to 
the  Second  Church  in  Boston,  .May,  1711.  A  coat  of  arms  on  each 
dish,  and  both  stamped  "  ew." 

One  Dish,  same  size,  no  inscription.  Stamped  "  ew."  A  coat  of 
arms  ennraved  thereon,  but  different  from  those  on  the  above  dishes. 

One  Baptismal  Basin,  inscribed  on  the  under  side  of  the  rim  as  fol- 
lows, viz  :  "  Hoc  Lavacrum  Septennonah  in  Bostonio  Ecclesice,  adusum 
SS.  Baptismi  dedicotum  est  per  Ada i mini  W  uithrop  adurtum  prism  sui 
Filii  qui  baptizatus  est  18  August,  1706." 

One  Silver  Bread  Knife. 


The  following  gentlemen  have  officiated  as  Treasurers  of  the  society  : 
Elder  Halsey,  John  Tudor,  Thomas  Greenough,  Samuel  Ridgway, 
Edward  Proctor,  Francis  Green,  Jonathan  Wild,  Samuel  Parkman, 
James  W.  Burditt,  Samuel  P.  Heywood,  Abel  Adams,  Simon  \V. 
Robinson. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  all  that  have  come  to  my  knowledge  of  the 
publications  of  the  ministers  of  the  New  Brick  :  — 

WILLIAM    WrALDRON. 

1727.     Artillery  Election  Sermon. 

WILLIAM    WELSTEED. 

1729.     Artillerv  Election  Sermon. 

1750.  Convention  Sermon. 

1751.  Election  Sermon,  (Councillors.) 

ELLIS    GRAV. 

1741.     Sermon  on  the  Design  of  the  Gospel  Ministry. 

1712.     Sermon  at  Ordination  of  Thaddeus  Maccarty,  Kingston. 

1719.     Artillery  Election  Sermon. 

EBENEZER    PEMBERTON. 

1756.     Artillery  Election  Sermon. 
IT.')7.     Election  of  Councillors. 
1759.     Convention  Sermon. 


75 


1766.     Dudleian  Lecture. 

1770.  On  the  Death  of  Whitefield. 

1771.  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  Isaac  Story. 

For  a  list  of  Dr.  Lathrop's  numerous  publications,  I  would  refer  to 
the  Appendix  to  Dr.  Parkman's  sermon  at  his  interment.  I  have  in  my 
possession  two  sermons  which  are  not  enumerated  in  that  catalogue .  A 
sermon  at  the  Dedication  of  the  New  South  Meeting-house  in  Dorches- 
ter, October  6,  1813  ;  and  a  sermon  preached  at  the  first  Church  in 
Weymouth,  Oct.  29,  1814,  at  the  interment  of  Miss  Mary  P.  Bicknell. 

A  catalogue  of  Mr.  Ware's  publications  may  be  found  in  the  Appen- 
dix to  my  sermon,  preached  to  the  Second  Church  on  the  occasion  of 
his  death. 


EARTHQUAKE    OF    1755. 

I  have  alluded  to  the  religious  use  made  of  the  earthquake  of  1727. 
The  records  of  the  "  Associated  Pastors  of  the  Churches  of  Boston,'' 
contain  an  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  clergy  in  relation  to  that 
of  1755,  which,  as  it  may  be  interesting  to  some  readers,  I  here  tran- 
scribe :  — 

"  November  18,  1755.  About  twenty  minutes  after  four,  A.  M., 
there  was  a  very  severe  shock  of  an  earthquake,  which  lasted  about 
two  minutes  ;  at  first  it  came  on  moderately,  preceded  by  a  noise  ;  the 
shaking  a  little  after  abated  something,  and  then  came  on  a  violent  con- 
cussion.    Great  damage  done  to  many  buildings,  but  no  life  lost. 

"  At  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  there  was  a  religious  exercise  at  the  Old 
South.  Mr.  Prince  prayed  ;  Dr.  Sewall  preached  ;  a  full  and  serious 
assembly.  A  religious  exercise  at  the  same  time  at  the  New  North  ; 
Mr.  Mather  began  with  prayer  ;  then  sung  a  psalm  ;  after  this  Mr. 
Pemberton  preached  ;  after  sermon  Mr.  Eliot  prayed  ;  then  sung  ;  after 
which  Mr.  Checkley,  Jr.  prayed  ;  a  full  and  serious  assembly. 

"  Minister's  meeting  at  Dr.  Sewall's,  P.  M.  ;  unanimously  agreed, 
in  order  to  cultivate  the  religious  impressions  made  on  the  minds  of  the 
people,  to  have  two  religious  exercises  the  next  Thursday.  At  the 
lecture,  Dr.  Chauncy  began  with  prayer  ;  Mr.  Mather  preached.  The 
Old  South  opened  at  half  past  two  ;  Dr.  Sewall  prayed  ;  Mr.  Prince 
preached.  New  North  opened  at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Pembertc  n 
prayed ;  Mr.  Eliot  preached.  Met  at  Dr.  Sewall's  the  next  Monday, 
Agreed  to  have  two  religious  exercises  the  next  Friday  afternoon,  at 
the  New  North  and  New  South.  At  New  North  Dr.  Sewall  prayed  ; 
Mr.  Foxcroft  preached.  At  New  South  Mr.  Prince  prayed  ;  Mr. 
Checkley  preached.  Met  at  Mr.  Cooper's,  December  1st.  Agreed  to 
have  a  religious  exercise  at  Mr.  Cooper's  the  next  Friday  afternoon. 
Mr.  Cooper  prayed  ;  Dr.  Chauncy  preached.  Met  at  Mr.  Cooper's 
afterwards.  Agreed  upon  a  religious  exercise  at  Old  Brick  the  next 
Tuesday  afternoon  ;  Mr.  Checkley  prayed ;  Mr.  Checkley,  Jr.  preach- 
ed. A  religious  exercise  at  the  Old  North  the  Friday  afternoon  follow- 
ing.    Mr.    Foxcroft   prayed ;    Dr.   Sewall  preached.      Went   to   Mr. 


76 


Checkley,  Jr.'s,  after  meeting.  Agreed  upon  a  religious  exercise  at 
New  Brick  next  Tuesday  afternoon.  Mr.  Mather  prayed  ;  Mr.  Check- 
ley  preached.  Went  to  Mr.  Pemberton'a  and  agreed  upon  a  religious 
<  sercise  al  Mr.  Mather's  the  next  Tuesday  afternoon.  Mr.  Eliot  pray- 
ed ;  Mr.  Pemberton  preached.  Met  at  Mr.  Mather's  after  this;  and 
considering  the  readiness  of  the  people  to  give  their  attendance,  agreed 
upon  another  course.  Accordingly  agreed  that  there  should  he  a  re- 
ligious exercise  at  the  Old  South  the  next  Tuesday  afternoon  ;  Mr. 
Pemberton  prayed  ;  Mr.  Foxcroft  preached.  Then  met  at  Dr.  Se wall's, 
and  agreed,  in  consideration  of  the  day  of  humiliation  and  thanksgiving 
appointed  by  authority  the  next  week,  to  omit  a  religious  exercise  for 
that  week.  Minister's  meeting  at  Mr.  Prince's  ;  agreed  upon  a  religious 
exercise  at  Mr.  Eliot's,  January  13th,  afternoon  ;  Mr.  Checkley,  Jr. 
prayed  ;  Mr.  Prince  preached.  Then  met  at  Mr.  Eliot's  ;  agreed  upon 
a  religious  exercise  at  Mr.  Checkley's,  January  23d,  afternoon;  Dr. 
Sewall  prayed  ;  Mr.  Mather  preached.  Met  at  Mr.  Checkley's  after 
this  ;  determined  nothing  as  to  any  further  religious  exercise." 


Amongst  the  number  of  those  who  have  contributed  to  the  prosperity 
of  the  Church  and  the  interest  of  the  public  services,  I  would  mention 
with  gratitude  the  Voluntary  Choir,  for  whose  valuable  assistance,  and 
uninterrupted  harmony,  for  the  last  six  years,  the  society  and  their  min- 
ister are  under  great  obligations. 


VALEDICTORY    SERVICES    IN    THE    OLD    MEETING-HOUSE. 

The  last  services  in  the  old  house,  on  Sunday,  March  10,  were  at- 
tended by  a  large  concourse,  drawn  together  by  the  interest  felt  in  the 
occasion,  and  by  attachment  to  the  ancient  edifice. 

On  the  evening  of  that  day,  the  Hancock  Sunday  School,  connected 
with  the  Second  Church  and  Society,  had  a  public  celebration  of  their 
anniversary.  The  house  was  filled  to  its  utmost  capacity,  and  hun- 
dreds went  away,  unable  to  procure  an  entrance.  Addresses  were 
made  by  the  pastor,  R.  W.  Emerson,  Dr.  John  Pierce,  and  Dr.  Park- 
man.  Several  original  hymns  were  sung  by  the  children,  and  the  ex- 
ercises were  concluded  by  the  singing  of  the  doxology,  commencing 
with  the  words  — 

"  From  all  that  dwell  below  tlie  skies," 

To  the  tune  of  Old  Hundred,  in  which  all  present  joined. 

The  pulpit  of  the  old  church,  and  many  of  the  pews,  were  sold  to 
the  religious  society  in  Billerica,Mass.,  and  now  stand  in  their  meeting- 
house. 

N.  B.  It  should  have  been  stated  on  the  title  page  that  these  Ser- 
mons were  printed  by  vote  of  the  parish. 


*P         -== 


VIEW    OF    THE    OLD    CHURCH. 


I 


